Prominent faces, dazzling dresses and champagne were also part of the 70th Federal Press Ball this year. Nevertheless, the journalists’ ball in the capital was more political than ever. The motto was now simply: “For freedom of the press”, the focus this year was on Iran. Speeches on Friday evening at the Hotel Adlon at the Brandenburg Gate were less moody than they used to be. Specifically, oppression in Türkiye and Iran was discussed. And politicians like Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) emphasized on the red carpet, which was blue this time: “We’re celebrating the wealth that we have a free and independent press.” But even in Germany you have to keep fighting for it and you can’t rest on your laurels.
The ball started in the early evening with police barricades and bars in front of the Adlon. There was some concern because the climate protection group Last Generation had announced disruptive actions in the government district. But everything remained calm at first, well-known politicians relaxedly strolled past the photographers: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) in a long golden dress, Family Minister Lisa Paus, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (both SPD) and other celebrities.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) had canceled. As a guest, Friedrich Merz, CDU chairman and possible candidate for a successor to Scholz, was there as usual. This year he was particularly happy to come, said Merz: “The ball motto is groundbreaking for freedom, not only in Germany but all over the world.”
Before the big dinner with lobster soup, beef and Swiss chocolate for 300 of the approximately 2000 guests in the large hall of the Adlon with other ministers, publishers, editors-in-chief and business representatives, a guest of honor called for the fight against dictatorship and oppression.
Can Dündar, former editor-in-chief of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet and now in exile in Berlin, said: “We are confronted with a pandemic of authoritarianism that is spreading. Freedom of the press, human rights, pluralistic democracy, the rule of law: they are all threatened by China to Hungary, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran, Belarus and so on.” There is only one vaccine against this political pandemic: “That is democracy.”
War correspondents in Ukraine, women filming in Iran, investigative journalists who oppose drug cartels in Mexico and columnists in Turkey are threatened, said Dündar, who was himself in prison. In three weeks, the Turks would have to choose between autocracy and democracy. “And I hope to be able to fly to this festival next year from Istanbul.”
After dinner, Federal President Steinmeier danced the official opening waltz with the wife of the President of the Federal Press Conference. Before that there was another emotional appeal and a song for freedom by the German-Iranian actress Jasmin Tabatabei. She spoke of a “child-killing regime” in Iran and the so-called Revolutionary Guards as a “terrorist organization”. People were kidnapped, raped and brutally tortured. “It breaks my heart.” The journalists are all the more important. “The truth is what the regime fears most.” In the direction of Foreign Minister Baerbock, Tabatabei said: “I’m your fan. If you need support, I’m there.”
Later, the guests turned their attention to the numerous food stands, many of them vegan: oysters and pea stew, sushi, falafel and doner kebab – later also the traditional currywurst. 500 waiters, cooks, bartenders, security guards and musicians were on duty throughout the night. As the evening progressed, DJs took over several dance floors.
Not everyone has been as honest as Green Party leader Ricarda Lang, who admitted she feels “more like a frog out of water” on the dance floor. You get in anyway, but only “when it gets a little wilder”. A gift awaited the guests at the exit: 800 hyacinths – symbols of friendship at the Persian New Year celebrations.
Information on the Federal Press Ball
