Lesekreis: «Die Waffen nieder!» Feministische Positionen gegen Krieg und Militarismus

In the organizer's words:

The Bundeswehr summons young people for military service. Armaments spending and arms exports are on the rise. Discussions are taking place about war-ready hospitals and schools. What would Clara Zetkin have to say about all this? She raised her voice against war credits before the First World War, right up to the end and long since in a losing position. Or Bertha von Suttner? Her book "Lay Down Your Arms!" was published in 1889 and was considered the most important work of anti-war literature.

In public perception, peace is made by men who sign a treaty and shake hands. Women, on the other hand, are portrayed as victims, bravely holding their ground behind the front line, and "just" wars are fought to "protect" them. What is it about these old and new images of gender in war? And where do the boundaries between peace and war actually lie from a feminist perspective?

In this reading group, we go in search of traces of feminist positions against war and militarism, then and now. We will use texts by Claudia Kemper ("Männlicher Krieg und weiblicher Frieden?", reclam 2023) and Sybil Oldfield ("Frauen gegen den Krieg", Fischer Verlag 1992) as signposts.

Working method:
The reading circle is not a book club. Our meetings build on each other and it does not make sense to attend just one meeting.

We read together and translate into our own words(close reading), collect questions and exchange ideas. There is no plan set in stone. From meeting to meeting, we follow our curiosity, take the time we need and make "detours" via other texts.

Texts are provided free of charge. All genders are welcome. The only requirement is commitment in terms of registration and deregistration.

Dates 2026:
March 11 / April 22 / May 6 / June 17 / July 29
Time each 18.30-20.30

Registration is required by email to: fem-lesekreis-nrw@web.de

Accessibility: The entire vier.zentrale is at ground level. The event rooms are spacious and accessible without steps. There is a disabled toilet.

An event organized by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung NRW in cooperation with Wir Frauen - Das feministische Blatt