Overview

• Merkel’s reading inaugurated the museum’s exhibition program ‘Freiheit. Eine unvollendete Geschichte,’ highlighting themes from her memoir.
• She opened with a quip that she thought the museum focused on cleaning products and later invited the audience to choose between chapters on the financial crisis or the World Cup.
• Her memoir, co-authored with Beate Baumann, spans 736 pages and charts her life before and after serving as chancellor.
• Roughly 50 activists from the right-wing group Freie Sachsen led by Marcus Fuchs held a 'Freiheit ohne Merkel' counter-protest outside the venue.
• Supporters queued for earlier signings at a nearby bookstore under tightened security measures that included venue screenings.