Alfred Grosser and Etienne François dispute the cultures of remembrance in Germany and France
Reassessing German and French places of remembrance – that is what concerns Alfred Grosser, who sees himself as a “moral educator” and mediator between Germany and France. Grosser is convinced that people remember differently in Germany and France. While in France many negative aspects of the country’s history are romanticized, Germans are dominated by guilt over the Holocaust and World War II. “(Günter) Grass showed me that we are still ensnared in it,” according to Grosser. “This ‘We are all guilty’ is irritating.”
This attitude has also had a great influence on German foreign policy, as evidenced by the prominence of relations with Israel. But even Franco-German memories are falsely portrayed. Grosser reminded those in attendance of a revision: “It was not De Gaulle or the Elysee Treaty that enlarged Franco-German relations, but Schuman’s idea for the European Coal and Steel Community.” The Federal Republic should not try to be like other countries, but should seek to retain its specific identity: “Germany’s is the only political system that is not built upon a nation, but a political ethic.”
Etienne François supplemented this picture and registered some disagreements. “If one considers the development of Germany and France after 1945, the differences in cultures of remembrance become blurred.” The strong harmonization between the two countries has led to a common Franco-German memory that has complemented the national cultures of remembrance. The French have since begun to intensely discuss the dark sides of its own history.
“We are indeed at the beginning of a long discussion. I hope that we can do this like the Germans have with their recent past.” German foreign policy has not been affected as strongly by its history as is often assumed, said François. “German foreign policy is no less driven by interests than that of France.” He also urged not to forget that the rapid development of Franco-German friendship after 1945 also owes to the contributions of other states.
Dr. Alfred Grosser and Dr. Etienne François were invited by the DGAP and the Club ParisBerlin to the event “The Past and Foreign Policy. A Franco-German Discussion with Etienne François and Alfred Grosser” on June 7, 2012 at the DGAP in Berlin.
