HVD celebrates its 30th anniversary with a big event

The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the HVD Federal Association took place in a festive setting at the Bürgerhaus Zeppelinheim in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main. The event was hosted by the Humanistische Gemeinschaft Hessen, one of the younger member organizations of the HVD. The guests were offered a varied program: In three thematic blocks, speakers and panelists addressed the past, present and future of the humanist movement and the Humanist Association of Germany.

The welcome and detailed appreciation of the guests of honor and former HVD chairpersons by HVD board spokesperson Erwin Kress as well as the numerous words of welcome, including from Andrew Copson, President of Humanists International, and Melanie Wegling, Member of the Bundestag and member of the Humanist Community of Hesse, deserve special mention. Wegling emphasized the importance of humanist values and practical humanism, including advice on living wills and health care proxies, which give many people guidance and security in difficult matters.

The reason for the celebratory event: In 1993, seven associations whose free religious, free-thinking and humanist tradition goes back to the 19th century came together. Manfred Isemeyer in particular emphasized the importance of history for the humanist movement in his presentation on the history of the HVD’s founding. He went into detail about important milestones and successes of the association. The key questions of today are the same as they were when the HVD was founded, namely: “What do secular-minded people need? What are they looking for? And how can we organized humanists give it to them?” According to Manfred Isemeyer, the association’s eventful history offers plenty of reason to celebrate, but also to reflect on the future. The subsequent panel event on the question of whether secular worldviews are too apolitical underlined the value of commitment and practical action for the Humanist Association of Germany and its member organizations.

One focus of the day’s other lectures and discussions was the topic of the meaning of life. Philosophical and personal approaches emphasized the value of critical doubt and shared commitment on the basis of humanism. “Scepticism is an essential part of humanism,” emphasized Dr. Martin Mettin in his lecture. And: “Commitment makes sense and can create meaning.” The program concluded with a lecture by Dorothea Winter on the topic of transhumanism and the question: How can the age of artificial intelligence be made humanistically desirable? The numerous comments from the audience made it clear that this topic moves many of those present and that we will probably be dealing with it intensively in the future.

A small highlight of the day was the performance of the improvisational theater of the Young Humanists Baden-Württemberg, who provided an entertaining atmosphere without any props, but with the involvement of the audience. The cultural finale of the festival was provided by the Huub Dutch Duo, winner of the Baden-Württemberg Cabaret Award, whose musical evening program even got people dancing.

The day offered many opportunities for encounters and lively discussions. The successful celebration thrived on the exchange among each other and opened up many new impulses, new contacts and personal acquaintances for the guests. Bruno Osuch, former long-standing President of the HVD Berlin-Brandenburg, summed it up as follows: “The successful anniversary conference was relaxed, informative, communicative and worthy!”

We are already looking forward to the next anniversary!

Impressions of the day: