Panorama opening speech
Scholz’s speech at the Leipzig Book Fair was interrupted several times by activists
As of: 8:57 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
Chancellor Olaf Scholz was only able to continue his opening speech after a few minutes
Source: dpa/Hendrik Schmidt
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“Reading is daily proof that we can understand each other despite our differences,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his opening speech at the Leipzig Book Fair – and was interrupted several times by activists.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s speech at the opening of the Leipzig Book Fair was interrupted several times by demonstrators on Wednesday evening. During the speech, several activists scattered around the Gewandhaus shouted at the SPD politician’s speech. He then said: “I believe that it is not right to confuse democracy with shouting loudly, and so I ask again to give everyone present here the opportunity to take part in this conversation and this event.”
Later, another spectator shouted, apparently in protest against arms deliveries to Israel. He was booed by the audience. “Here in Leipzig, we are all brought together by the power of words – not shouting,” said Scholz, accompanied by applause. After a few minutes he was able to continue his opening speech.
Anyone who reads allows perspectives other than their own and takes a personal interest in developments, said Scholz in his speech. With every chapter, with every new page, contradictions that seemed unbridgeable in everyday life could be overcome. “Reading is therefore daily proof that we can understand each other despite our differences, that our societies, in Germany and in Europe, are by no means doomed to drift apart.”
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Scholz appealed: “Let us not follow those who want to divide us, who want to deny entire groups in this country their membership in our society. Let us never believe those whose answers ultimately result in intolerance, exclusion and hatred.” This would ruin the country “not only morally but also economically.”
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The Leipzig Book Fair – the most important German literary show after Frankfurt – runs from Thursday to Sunday. 2085 exhibitors from 40 countries present their books and new publications. After positive advance sales, an increase in visitor numbers is expected; 274,000 people came last year.