Overview

• Police counted roughly 500 participants at a PEN Berlin–organized market debate where Michel Friedman spoke and questioned political involvement in programming.
• Mayor Jürgen Mevius has said he will resign at the end of October, with many residents expressing solidarity for his service.
• The sequence and motives behind the uninvitation remain disputed, with references to possible security risks and high costs versus claims of secured third‑party funding.
• Speakers repeatedly defended artistic freedom, while some locals criticized literature house director Oliver Hintz for his handling of the invitation and publicity.
• PEN spokeswoman Thea Dorn praised the civil exchange, and state culture minister Bettina Martin called the uninvitation a troubling signal for the freedom of the arts.