Von Wahrheit & Fiktion. Truth, Fiction, and the Politics of Memory (in German)

In this episode, we explore the complex tension between historical truth and fictional narrative, drawing inspiration from Yuval Noah Harari's reflections. We discuss how writing about real historical events—such as the Roman Empire—requires rigorous research, linguistic skills, and archaeological insight, whereas fictional storytelling allows for simplified, appealing narratives without factual accountability. This distinction is not only academic but deeply political: in modern societies, fictionalized versions of history often resonate more than uncomfortable truths. What does this say about our collective relationship to truth, history, and political memory? Join us as we reflect on the implications for contemporary public discourse and historiography.

Keywords

#TruthVsFiction; #YuvalHarari; #HistoricalNarrative; #RomanEmpire; #Historiography; #PoliticalDiscourse; #AncientHistory; #RealityCheck; #PublicTruth; #HistoricalMethod; #MediaAndFiction; #CriticalThinking