The article discusses a recent dedication to East Germans featured in the magazine "Die Weltbühne," highlighting the dangers of instrumentalizing history for emotional and identity-political ends. It references Friedrich Nietzsche's warnings about reducing history to a rhetorical tool, which can misrepresent the past by mythologizing it and infusing it with moral clarity that distorts reality. The critique posits that history should serve as a means of recognizing truth rather than as a commodity for emotional manipulation.

In this context, the author focuses on the example of the latest edition of "Die Weltbühne," under the guidance of Holger Friedrich, a controversial figure with ties to the former East German regime and the Stasi. The piece cites the magazine's usage of two photographs from the November 4, 1989 demonstrations at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, linking them to a problematic dedication to East Germans. This choice illustrates how historical events can be repurposed to serve a political agenda, possibly resonating with nationalist sentiments while disregarding a more nuanced understanding of the past.

The article highlights the potential societal impact of such narratives in media, as they can foster division and prejudice rather than promote understanding. By glamorizing certain aspects of history while undermining others, publications like "Die Weltbühne" may unwittingly contribute to a culture of misunderstanding and intolerance, particularly towards marginalized groups such as the Jewish community, thus setting a concerning precedent for historical discourse in mainstream media.