The songwriter Konstantin Wecker can be seen and, of course, heard on his current Tour Utopia 2.0 through Germany, Switzerland and Austria until 19 December. On stage, the Munich pacifist and anti-militarist reads an excerpt from the book “Beyond State, Power and Violence” by Abdullah Öcalan, which was translated into German in 2013, in keeping with the campaign “Freedom for Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question”. Wecker said: “A just and peaceful solution for the people of Kurdistan requires the release of Abdullah Öcalan.”

Konstantin Wecker said on stage:

“The Kurdish politician, representative and important theorist Abdullah Öcalan writes in his book Beyond the State, Power and Violence:

I find ethical and political people attractive who maintain friendship with animals, live in harmony with nature, build on gender balance, live in freedom, equality and love and protect the power of science and technology from becoming toys for warriors and...

To be powerful. (…) I'm talking about a mental and emotional paradigm. I say categorically: the worship of strength and power, the sparkling and glittering life of all blood-stained civilizations, I am really tired of it and hate it. (…)

The childhood of humanity, the forgotten history of working people and peoples, the worlds of freedom and equality in the utopias of women, children and old people who have remained children - I would rather take part in them and achieve success there.

All of this is utopia. But sometimes utopias are the only inspiration that saves us. Of course, people will escape from today's buildings, which are worse than graves, through utopias. (…)”

Wecker added after the quotes: “Öcalan has been in solitary confinement on the prison island of Imrali in the Sea of Marmara for 24 years.

A just and peaceful solution for the people of Kurdistan requires the release of Abdullah Öcalan.

But the despot from the Bosporus still calls him a terrorist to this day, just as Nelson Mandela was defamed as a terrorist for decades. History ultimately decides who is a despot and who is a fighter for peace and a more just world.

And dear Abdullah, I would now like to talk about the friendship with animals, which you described so beautifully, in my next song..."

The following concerts will take place in Germany, Switzerland and Austria:

Germany

22 November Berlin – Philharmonic Hall

23 November Lübeck – Music and Congress hall

28 November Würzburg – Congress Center

29 November Frankfurt am Main – Alte Oper

30 November Stuttgart – Liederhalle

19 December Hamburg – Laeiszhalle

Switzerland

2 December Bern – Kursaal

5 December Basel – city casino

6 December – Schaan – Hall at Lindenplatz

Austria

8 December Linz – Brucknerhaus

9 December Vienna – Konzerthaus

10 December Graz – Stefaniensaal