From silence to voice: Schulz reveals Schwedt's youth in the 90s!

From silence to voice: Schulz reveals Schwedt's youth in the 90s!

On March 27, 2025, the author Daniel Schulz read from his book “We were like brothers” in the loge hall of the European University Viadrina. In his reading, Schulz discussed the violent upbringing of young men in Brandenburg in the 1990s, a time marked by political upheaval and social tensions. At the event, which was opened by Viadrina Vice President Janine Nuyken, those present spoke about the silent trauma of the youth of that time and the challenges they had to overcome. Nuyken, who grew up in Frankfurt (Oder), recalled the political tensions and their impact on society, but also noted that these tensions in the Viadrina led to implosions rather than explosions.

In his reading, Schulz described the ambivalent situation of small-town youth, caught between indolence and fear. He particularly vividly addressed the loneliness of these young people as well as the influence of violent, right-wing groups that gained strength in the 1990s. The audience had the opportunity to discuss youthful desires and the role of women in this social upheaval. In addition to the reading, personal conversations also took place in which Schulz signed books and spoke to readers about his experiences.

Social contexts of the 90s

In order to better classify Schulz's reading, it is important to consider the social and political context of the 1990s in Brandenburg. During this decade the region experienced sweeping change. The so-called “baseball bat years” were characterized by numerous violent attacks, accompanied by a strong right-wing scene. Schwedt, for example, a city that was heavily affected by the fall of the Wall, lost many jobs; every fourth citizen was affected by unemployment. This lack of prospects led to emigration and an increase in social disruptions that many young people experienced.

Rising crime and the emergence of violent neo-Nazi groups are affecting many young people's search for identity. A current project by students at the Talsand Comprehensive School in Schwedt dealt with these topics. A traveling exhibition was created in a year-long research project that included archival research and contemporary witness interviews. This shows the effects of right-wing violence in the 90s and was organized by the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the “Living Democracy!” program. supports.

Prevention and social dialogue

Dealing with right-wing extremist tendencies among young people was a central issue in the 1990s. The Action Program against Aggression and Violence (AgAG) was launched at that time to address this problem. In the following years, numerous projects were funded that were aimed at young people who moved in right-wing milieus. Despite these efforts, experts criticized the extensive neglect of (potential) victims of right-wing violence.

Currently, the challenges of dealing with right-wing tendencies and the associated violence are still present. The ever-growing need for preventive measures is evident in the face of intimidation attempts by right-wing populist actors against social-educational projects. The role of the majority society is also increasingly perceived as a factor in the emergence of right-wing extremist violence. This urgency was also highlighted during Schulz's reading, when he pointed out that society should be able to counteract the growing shift to the right.

Daniel Schulz's reading was not only a literary event, but also the start of the conference "Take a stand!? Diversity discourses and conflict resolution", which took place on March 28, 2025. This conference aimed to create awareness of social diversity and to continue to critically examine today's challenges.