Last Thursday evening (20 June), Russian human rights activists Alexander and Galina Goncharenko met with local civil society activists at the Literature Café of the Gymnasiums Christianeum of Hamburg.

The evening was led by Mr Björn Maydell, head of the Literature Café.

Executive Director Martina Baeurle made an introductory speech and showed a film about the Hamburg Foundation for Politically Persecuted Persons .

Then Alexander and Galina told about their many years of human rights and opposition activities in Russia, about the reasons for their emigration to Kazakhstan and then to Germany.

In Russia, Alexander Goncharenko was arrested in absentia and put on an interstate wanted list for "discrediting" the Russian army .

From September 2022 to August 2023, they were guests of the Hamburg Foundation for Assistance to Politically Persecuted Persons.

In exile, Alexander and Galina participate in the activities of the Russian-speaking community Anti-War Hamburg.

In addition, with the support of Martina Baeurle, they are implementing their project: "Psychological assistance to victims of war in Ukraine".

Project leader Alexander Goncharenko said that forty women war refugees from Ukraine received psychological help during four training seminars, that the project is not limited to seminars only, and for further communication there is a WhatsApp group "Psychological help to victims of war in Ukraine".

He said that in 2024 there will still be psychological training seminars in July, September and November. For participation in the seminars, 83 female participants applied.

Alexander and Galina answered many questions of those present.

At the end of the event, Alexander Goncharenko thanked all those present for their active civic position, for the friendly atmosphere of the meeting, for the warmth of heart, for not indifferent to the fate of Russian political emigrants and Ukrainian refugees.

The donations collected during the charity evening will be used to help Ukrainian refugees.

Photo 1. Galina and Alexander Goncharenko at one of the anti-war actions in Hamburg;

Photo 2. Martina Baeurle;

Photo 3. Bjorn Maydell and Alexander Goncharenko (from left to right).

Photo 4. Galina Goncharenko, far right