Overview

• Literaturhaus director Oliver Hintz says he was instructed to rescind Friedman’s October 2026 Arendt-commemoration appearance due to feared protests by right-wing groups or Hamas sympathizers.
• Mayor Jürgen Mevius disputes a safety-based order, citing an unusually high fee and saying there was no formal council decision to uninvite Friedman.
• At a public council session Monday, Mevius said no vote was taken and later described a negative opinion survey among city representatives.
• The Literaturhaus supporters contend private backers would have covered expenses, while Hintz says he now fears losing his job but plans to continue the Arendt program.
• The cancellation drew criticism from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s culture minister Bettina Martin and Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouripour, with coverage noting the AfD’s near-40% support locally in the last federal election.