The world sees "an open-minded, cosmopolitan Germany"

Twenty-five years after German Reunification, he believes that these days international perception focuses on “a youthful Germany, an open-minded, cosmopolitan Germany”, an image that prevailed in contemporary movies, for example.

Lehmann describes German society as open and tolerant, “dealing with immigrants“. But becoming “a country of hope” for many also involved certain risks: “There is a great sense of solidarity and we need to make sure that it’s not just restricted to Germany but extends all over Europe. There needs to be a serious political effort to find support for this.” According to Lehmann, there is no alternative to embracing the situation: “Giving up on the idea of an open society is the worst thing we could do.”

When asked about what he likes best about his fellow Germans, Lehmann is quick to answer: “Germans are very willing to talk about things. That’s something that takes people all over the world by surprise.” While others closed themselves off, “Germans are willing and able to discuss things.” Yet he warns society “not to demand gratitude for all the wonderful things it’s doing at the moment. That’s a risk. If you expect gratitude and you don’t get it, things can go downhill.”

In the wake of German reunification, Klaus-Dieter Lehmann served as head of the German National Library and then of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. In 2007 he was appointed President of the Goethe Institute, which has 159 branches in 98 countries.