This event is in English.

In 1171 King Henry II of England himself began the invasion of Ireland due to the “Bull Laudabiliter” of the only English Pope ever, Adrian IV. The existence of this “Bull”, however, is doubted by many.

Prior to this, Adrian, as Nicholas Breakspear, had been papal legate to Scandinavia, initiating a similar process there. He encouraged the Swedish King Erik IX to invade Finland. In both cases, the aim was a church reorganization, including the collection of the “St. Peter’s Penny”, a highly economic interest.

After this aspect, the lecture will present the following historical Irish facts: the Statutes of Kilkenny, Tudor-Reformation, Oliver Cromwell and – later – the Penal Laws, Great Famine, War of Independence and Civil War, the Troubles in the North and the Peace Process. 

The historical novel trilogy by the Irish writer Walter Macken will shortly be presented, too.

Norbert Friedrich

A lifelong bridge-builder between history, culture, and lived experience, Norbert Friedrich brings decades of deep engagement with Ireland and its stories to the festival stage.

Trained at Ruhr-University Bochum, where he completed an M.A. in English and Irish history, literature, and constitutional studies, Friedrich’s connection with Ireland began early. A formative research journey in the early 1970s saw him in direct conversation with leading historians in Dublin and Belfast—an experience that would shape a lifetime of scholarship and cultural exchange.

His doctoral work on the charters and writs of King Henry II of England remains a cornerstone of his academic profile.

As Deputy Head of the Institute of Adult Education in Monheim on the Rhine for over three decades, he became a respected educator and public historian, delivering lectures and seminars on Irish, Scottish, and English history while organising regular study trips to Ireland and Northern Ireland—even during the most difficult years of the Troubles.

His commitment extended beyond education into active dialogue and peacebuilding. Through longstanding connections with political and community leaders across Northern Ireland, he contributed to broader European understanding of the conflict, advocating for cross-community engagement as a foundation for lasting peace. His work included advising at European level during the early stages of the peace process, emphasising the importance of shared human experience over division.

Friedrich’s relationship with Ireland remains deeply personal. From grassroots cultural exchanges—such as humanitarian initiatives in Derry—to ongoing collaborations with historians, community organisations, and cultural figures, his work reflects a rare combination of scholarship, empathy, and practical action.

Today, he continues to write and research, with current projects exploring themes of history, religion, and conflict in Ireland, while remaining an active participant in Irish cultural life across Europe.

At the heart of it all is a simple thread: a lifelong dedication to understanding Ireland not just as a subject of study, but as a living, shared story.