In this talk, given at the recent public gathering in Gera, we addressed a persistent media narrative that has confused the nature of our community’s historical identity. The central clarification was that the “German Kreisreich” we speak of has no connection to the authorities of the former Third Reich, a regime that ceased to exist decades ago. By separating our heritage from that dark chapter, we can speak more clearly about the true foundations of our shared past.
We emphasised that the German homeland of the imperial era, from 1871 to 1918, remains a living part of our collective memory. In that period a genuine partnership grew between the Ottoman Empire and the German Empire, an exchange of ideas, culture and mutual respect embodied in the relationship between Sultan Abdul Hamid II and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Later historiography, however, has often highlighted only the grim aspects of the early twentieth century and left the brighter moments in the shadows.
We explained how, after the upheavals of 1918, the successive German states, including the Weimar Republic, the Federal Republic and the former East Germany, have in many ways eclipsed this original story of cooperation. In the early 1920s, language reforms and changes of script further severed the symbolic ties that linked our ancestors to one another. This loss of “ancestral bonds” is not unique to Germany; similar ruptures occurred elsewhere, including in the Ottoman lands, where centuries‑old traditions were abruptly altered.
Re‑weaving these ties, we argued, matters not only for historical accuracy but for spiritual vitality. When the threads that connect us to our forebears are restored, they give individuals and communities the inner strength to flourish. Healing the German homeland is therefore a prerequisite for wider world peace, because a people rooted in its authentic story can meet others with confidence and compassion.
The gathering itself embodied this message. Attendees from diverse backgrounds came together in the Hofwiesenpark and openly expressed their wish to be “free people”, able to choose their path without being mislabelled. The event was streamed live to viewers from the United States to Japan, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants recognised that, beyond religious or national labels, the true aim is the restoration of home and the cultivation of global harmony.
We also clarified common misconceptions: the term “Reichsbürger” belongs to a historical context that no longer applies and should not be conflated with today’s citizens or with the German nation as a whole. Likewise, accusations that our community aligns with extremist ideologies are unfounded; our focus remains on heritage, peace and the spiritual renewal that comes from remembering and honouring our ancestors.
In closing, we thanked those who organised the event and the many volunteers who made the live broadcast possible, carrying the message of healing and unity far beyond Gera.
May a renewed understanding of our shared past guide us towards a future in which every nation cherishes its authentic heritage while walking together towards lasting peace.
