The first Long Night of Democracy in Stuttgart was an experiment with many participants. Even after this, questions remain about how best to make democracy tangible and bring it closer to young people.

Lightness is difficult in this long night. The joy in democracy that former mayor Fritz Kuhn demands – it doesn’t really seem to materialize. Not even with himself, the keynote speaker at this “Festival of Democracy” on Wednesday evening at the Rotebühlplatz meeting point. Because concerns predominate: “After 75 years of the Basic Law, we are all shocked when we look at the election results in East Germany,” he said in front of around 200 guests. Violence and agitation are increasing. “Insults have become a kind of popular right-wing sport.” The AfD aims to dismantle parliaments, as is currently evident in Thuringia. A ban, as is currently being discussed, does not seem unreasonable to him: “Don’t say too soon, it won’t work!” he shouts. If it turns out that the party is systematically aiming to destroy the democratic system, “then you have to submit an application for a ban.”

“Festival of Democracy” at the Rotebühlplatz meeting point – with the trio. Photo: Jan Sellner

No, party sounds different. It isn’t either. That would be too much to ask given the political shift to the right. When Kuhn, who is president of the Baden-Württemberg Adult Education Association, encourages the Democrats to be cheerful “because we can’t turn off the right-wing ghost with a bitter face,” then it sounds more like whistling in the forest. It seems more convincing when the former mayor advocates “explaining to people what would be missing if democracy no longer exists.” When he advocates for “more education across the board” “as the best protection against right-wing nationalists” and self-critically says that politicians need to regain trust. Kuhn gives a “stand up” appeal. It ends in the statement that it is the “life’s work” of today’s living generations to preserve democracy.

The democracy that people would like to celebrate is under enormous pressure. This is also clear in the evening’s artistic contributions: The VocaliPhon ensemble performs the piece “Democracy” by the doctors a cappella. It says: “Democracy is not given for free. She is being harassed everywhere.” When the dancers from Dancers across Borders and the Salamanque Dance Company perform, this can also be felt physically: there is a fight for democracy and freedom on stage.

It is still a celebration of democracy. In this respect, the many speakers on this Long Night are promoting a firm commitment to democracy – which, in the opinion of Social and Integration Mayor Alexandra Sußmann (Greens), is still not happening enough: “I miss standing up against the right” , she says. Unlike Correctiv’s research into right-wing extremist remigration plans at the beginning of the year, the AfD’s electoral successes were “acknowledged quietly and almost resignedly.”

She misses “standing up against the right” – Social Mayor Alexandra Sußmann. Photo: Lichtgut / Ferdinando Iannone/Lichtgut/Ferdinando Iannone

“Getting into action” – that was one of the expectations of the adult education center association and the state center for political education as initiators of the Long Night of Democracy. And a lot was actually done on October 2nd. Around 50 municipalities and 70 institutions across the country took part in this first Long Night. Around 70 events took place in Stuttgart alone, spread across the city. Also involved in Stuttgart were the Partnership for Democracy network, the city youth ring, the city’s integration department, the youth center society and the citizens’ movement Pulse of Europe. A broad alliance, whose members also provide many of the guests at the final event at the Rotebühlplatz meeting point.

Young participants sound hopeful

The impressions of the day and the evening change. Some events, such as those organized by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, are well attended, others less so. It seems sobering when participants in a democracy card game at the final party are of the opinion that there are too many parties. It is difficult when the “granularity of democracy” is discussed on the podium. On the other hand, it sounds warm when Simone Fischer, Green Party councilor and the state’s representative for the disabled, speaks for “social education”. It is illuminating when the state working group of local migrant representatives talks in the town hall about nationalism and extremism in migrant communities and explains how they are countering it with workshops. And it sounds hopeful when the young people present at the “Festival of Democracy” – SPD parliamentary group leader Jasmin Meergans and Celine Hirschka (Volt) – talk about democracy and how motivating it is to be able to help shape it.

What would a representative of the CDU local council group sound like? You don’t know. Unlike the SPD, Greens, Free Voters, FDP, Volt and Left, the CDU is not represented. The adult education center’s invitation remained unanswered, which led Kuhn to remark that it was “a shame that the CDU is missing,” because the broadest possible movement to defend democracy is needed.

Playing cards for democracy: Vice President Barbara Brodt-Geiger with guests. Photo: Lichtgut/Ferdinando Iannone

This Long Night makes it clear: it is a struggle for democracy and for formats that are suitable for revitalizing it. Sibylle Thelen, director of the State Center for Civic Education, sees political education “not as a oral vaccination, but as an opportunity to get involved.” Democracy Night is one such opportunity. One that still meets with a cautious response beyond the many actors involved. Are there too many events at once? Is the date on the eve of German Unity Day the right one? After the Long Night, questions arise. One also aims at the conception. Should the offers be aimed more at citizens, especially young people, instead of inviting them to events?

Youth social work also in clubs?

The youth center society and the city youth group have already set out and developed interesting formats. One premiered on Wednesday in the Heslach youth center. In a “democracy workshop” around 60 educators and representatives of extracurricular children and youth education discuss how democratic values ​​can be conveyed to young people in the most lively way possible. The desire for club social work is expressed – in addition to school social work, because “youth doesn’t just take place in school for a long time,” as one participant put it.

There is agreement that teachers need more support and that more extracurricular spaces are needed where children and young people can come together to exchange ideas and try out democracy. It also becomes clear: “It doesn’t work without money.” A representative of the Forum of Cultures emphasizes that volunteer work alone is overwhelmed. Jasmin Meergans shows understanding for such voices: “Political education needs more financial support,” she demands at the Democracy Festival.

The next Democracy Night will take place in 2026

The efforts and offerings continue beyond the first night of democracy. There will be a new edition of the format in 2026, the year after the federal election. The Stuttgart Adult Education Center is already making democracy a focus this winter semester. Dagmar Mikasch-Köthner, the VHS director, also announced at the Rotebühlplatz meeting point that the adult education center will join the Stuttgart Alliance for Democracy as a “daughter of democracy”. There’s plenty of applause again late in the evening.