Angela Merkel: Freedom
Angela Merkel shares her new memoir of the people and politics that have shaped her life and the world around her, in conversation with Katya Adler.
For 16 years, Angela Merkel was Chancellor of Germany. She led the country through numerous crises, shaping both Germany and international politics with her actions and attitudes.
In her memoirs, co-written with her long-time political advisor Beate Baumann, she reflects on her life in two German states – 35 years in the German Democratic Republic, 35 years in reunited Germany. More intimately than ever before, she talks about her childhood, youth and studies in the GDR, and the dramatic year of 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell and her political life began.
She also shares recollections and insights from her meetings and conversations with the world’s most powerful people. Discussing significant national, European, and international turning points, she shows how the decisions were made that shaped our times. Her book offers a unique insight into the inner workings of power – and is a compelling plea for freedom.
Katya Adler is an award-winning BBC journalist and the main host of the BBC’s daily, deep-dive Global Story current affairs podcast. She is also the BBC’s Europe Editor, travelling across the continent to provide her analysis of fast-paced news events from the rise of populist nationalism to the migrant crisis and beyond, on TV, radio, an online blog and on social media.
Need to know
This event is in German with interpretation to English.
Copies of Freedom are available as an optional add-on for the discounted price of £28 (RRP £35) when you buy a ticket to the talk. The book must be collected on the night of the event, as we’re unable to distribute copies afterwards.
An exclusive box package is available, which includes:
Hire of a private box (seats up to eight people).
One free drink per guest on arrival (prosecco, wine, beer or soft drink).
Dedicated host to take drinks orders throughout the event.
Access
This event is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) and Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). Interpretation is by Taz Hockaday and Jenny Koehring (subject to change).
To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
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For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.