On Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11 p.m., St. Petri Church in Lübeck invites you to the Petrivision “dependent_free” as part of the anniversary series *Realities*. In the 25th year of the Petrivision, the focus is on the factors that fundamentally shape our perception of the world and our possibilities for participation. This time, the theme centers on the tension between dependence and freedom: What does it mean to be free – as an individual and as a society? Where does freedom begin, and where does it end? And can we even think, feel, and act independently? The Petrivision explores these questions through words, music, and staged readings. Christina Bolte, a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Systemic Motor Research at the University of Lübeck, will speak about free will – a topic reexamined in light of modern brain research between determination and decision. Sociology student Daniel Ivanov reflects on anarchy and freedom, asking how social order and the human desire for freedom relate to one another. Pastor Lilly Schaack speaks about the kind of freedom that can lie in consciously entering into dependencies. The evening’s music will be provided by the vocal ensemble *Viva Voce* and cellist Ben Seeck. Rebecca Indermaur and Sigrid Dettlof, who co-direct the performance together with Mathis Dieckmann, will read texts by Hannah Arendt, Astrid Lindgren, and others. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. To set the mood for the night, the St. Petri Café will open its doors at 10 p.m.
The Petrivision, the nighttime performance series at St. Petri focusing on cultural, scientific, and religious themes, is entering its 25th year. What began in the year 2000 as a completely new event format with a series on “Beginnings” has, despite the unusual hour — Saturdays at 11 p.m. — lost none of its appeal over time and continues to draw a large audience. What was originally a simple program of speeches and music has evolved into an elaborate production featuring staged readings, installations, and interactive surprises.
The Petrivision working group has always placed great importance on choosing themes that are timely and relevant, particularly in light of political developments. For the anniversary series, the team — led by director Sigrid Dettlof, Pastor Dr. Bernd Schwarze, and Pastor Lilly Schaack — has chosen the theme “Realities” to create space for discussions about current social tensions.
Photo by Thorsten Biet
Pictures of the evening by Migo Eichholz