"No Fear": Danger Dan and Igor Levit Demand Debate on Right-Wing Extremism

Musicians Danger Dan and Igor Levit staged a concert in Berlin following the cancellation of their planned performance on the ZDF cabaret show "Die Anstalt." The artists used the event to criticize the public discourse surrounding their exclusion, arguing that too much attention was paid to the cancellation itself rather than the escalating issue of right-wing violence.

Danger Dan stated that the crucial question should be "How do we deal with right-wing violence, which is exploding and becoming more brutal?" Igor Levit added that focus should be placed on supporting individuals threatened by right-wing extremism who may fear leaving their homes.

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How do we deal with right-wing violence, which is exploding and becoming more brutal?

The ZDF had initially invited Danger Dan to perform his song "Keine Angst" (No Fear) with Levit during the show's 100th episode, which was set to address radicalization and the resilience of democracy. However, the broadcaster ultimately decided to cancel the performance shortly before recording, with ZDF Intendant Norbert Himmler telling Süddeutsche Zeitung that the song text could be understood as a "user manual for left-wing, violent resistance" and contained "friendly greetings to left-wing extremists, some of whom are convicted violent offenders."

Danger Dan denied that his song incites violence. Both artists condemned the cancellation as an infringement on freedom of speech and artistic expression. The German Journalists' Association (DJV) also criticized the move as a serious breach of editorial freedom, while some of the show's producers called the decision "cowardly." Many of these producers were in the audience at the Berlin concert, as their anniversary episode aired on television the same evening.

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It is undoubtedly a user manual for left-wing, violent resistance.