Bookseller Susanne Dagen Disinvited from German Ideology Event Amid Controversy
The recent disinvitation of Dresden bookseller Susanne Dagen from the “Denkfest” (Thinking Festival) in landau, Germany, highlights a growing trend of “unloading” – the withdrawal of invitations to public figures following criticism - and raises questions about the boundaries of free speech in Germany. following similar incidents involving publicist Michel Friedman and rapper Chefket, Dagen’s case has sparked debate, tho without the widespread public outcry seen in those earlier instances.
Dagen gained national recognition through her association with author Uwe Tellkamp and for publicly expressing sympathy towards the pegida movement, a right-wing populist group. Her disinvitation, unlike the cancellations of Friedman and Chefket which prompted protests, has largely flown under the radar, a disparity critics attribute to a reluctance to defend those with controversial views unless personally affected. However, this selective defense of free expression undermines the principle itself, demanding consistent advocacy regardless of ideological alignment.
The “Denkfest” event, a philosophy and discourse festival, opted to rescind Dagen’s invitation, a decision that underscores the increasing pressure on event organizers to avoid association with figures perceived as politically problematic. This pattern of disinvitation, occurring both in Germany and internationally, signals a broader concern about the limits of acceptable discourse and the potential for self-censorship within public forums.