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Henry Lindemeier with Ukrainian flag in front of the Russian House
© Dirk Krampitz / Berliner Morgenpost
Berliner Morgenpost

Who is the man with the Ukrainian flag in front of the Russian House?

7 August 2024  ·  By Dirk Krampitz  ·  Reading time: 4 min.

What the article covers

  • First major portrait of Lindemeier in a Berlin newspaper – who he is and why he does it
  • Daily harassment: being spat at, death threats, physical intimidation by visitors to the Russian House
  • Lindemeier as a private individual with a background in psychotherapy and management consulting – not a professional activist
  • Material support for Ukraine: handing over a van to the front directly after the interview
  • The trigger: Russian Victory Day celebrations on 8/9 May 2022 – the first time he stood there with a flag
Why it matters The first public attention for Lindemeier's protest – the starting point of the entire media timeline. The Russian House had barely registered on the public radar before this.
This article was originally published in German. The following is an English summary of the key content.

Berlin. He keeps showing up on Friedrichstraße, playing Ukrainian songs, waving the flag – and accepting that people spit on him.

For months he has been standing there, playing the patriotic march "Oj, u lusi tscherwona kalyna" from his Bluetooth speaker – right in front of the Russian House of Culture on Friedrichstraße in Berlin-Mitte. His name is Henry Lindemeier.

The 61-year-old wants to make sure Russia's war against Ukraine is not forgotten. "I specifically want to reach the Russians, that's why I stand exactly here," he says.

"I don't want this war against Ukraine, which costs lives every day, to be forgotten and support for Ukraine to dwindle."

Lindemeier is a retired psychologist who has worked extensively in the corporate sector. He now devotes a large part of his time to supporting Ukraine – both symbolically and practically. Right after the interview he picks up a van he has obtained cheaply. It will be driven to the front in Ukraine.

Russia's attack on Ukraine shook Lindemeier to his core. His response: "First I cried a lot, then I started reading and watching a lot." His strategy for coping is understanding rather than suppression. He will keep going. That much is certain.

📄 Download full article as PDF (German)