Next Thursday, Blaues Haus Stiftung invited a special guest to give a lecture in Hanover. As a volunteer soldier, he entered the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield three times, experiencing the brutality of war with wounds and the loss of close friends. He compiled his experiences into a book, “A Journey of Life and Death”.
Cover image of *A Journey of Life and Death*, Image source: https://www.bookrep.com.tw/?md=gwindex&cl=book&at=bookcontent&id=20472
His name is Pan Wenyang.
On February 24, 2022, Russia announced a „special military operation“ against the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, subsequently launching a large-scale invasion of Ukraine and initiating a full-scale war. To date, this largest armed conflict since World War II has resulted in millions of casualties. Today, the war continues.
Photo of Pan in the Ukrainian army, provided by Pan Wenyang
At just over 20 years old, an age when one should be starting a new life on a university campus, why did Wenyang choose to go to the front lines to participate in the war? How did his actual experience of war differ from his imagination? What new feelings will he have after returning to Taiwan? On the evening of June 18, 2026, Wenyang will share his story at the Blaues Haus Library.
Below is his personal account:
I am Pan Wenyang, a university student from Taiwan, and a volunteer who personally participated in the Russia-Ukraine War. On the battlefield in Ukraine, I witnessed the most realistic aspects of modern warfare: the conflict between freedom and authoritarianism, the cost of democratic values, and the moral choices people face in extreme circumstances.
This speech is not about weapons, tactics, or victory or defeat, but rather explores a more fundamental question: When war comes, what is humanity truly defending? Is freedom worth sacrificing one’s life for? Are the values of democracy sufficient to support people going to the battlefield? And can so-called justice remain pure amidst gunfire and death?
On the front lines, I saw many young people fall. Some came from Ukraine, some from all over the world. They once had families, dreams, and unfinished lives. Death made me understand that the meaning of life is not about how long one lives, but about whether one is willing to live for the values one believes in. War reveals the cruelty of humanity, but also the existence of courage, sacrifice, and love.
I hope that through my own experience, we can reflect together on the true value of freedom, democracy, justice, and life, and how we can safeguard our human dignity in an era filled with conflict.
⚠️This lecture may cover topics related to war, death, and trauma, which may be disturbing for some attendees. Please consider this before attending.
Speaker
Pan Wenyang, born in Kaohsiung in 1999, joined the Marine Corps in 2017 and was discharged in 2021. That same year, he enrolled in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages. In September 2023, he first joined the International Corps for the Defense of the Territory of Ukraine. After completing basic training, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the International Corps and stationed in a village on the outskirts of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. He soon returned to Taiwan to continue his studies. In July 2024, he joined the International Corps for the second time. At the end of August, he was assigned to the newly formed Assault Team A of the 2nd Battalion, signed a six-month contract, and went to the front lines in October to carry out operations at Chasiv Yar. He returned to Taiwan in early 2025 to continue his university studies while undergoing treatment for a concussion and hearing problems, and completed writing his book, “A Journey of Life and Death: Taiwanese Volunteer Pan Wenyang’s Personal Experiences in the Russo-Ukrainian War”. In late April 2025, he went to Ukraine for the third time to join the Ukrainian Airborne Forces, serving in the 25th Airborne Brigade. He later returned to Taiwan and transferred to the Department of Philosophy at Tunghai University.
Event Information
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Location: Blaues Haus Bibliothek, Maschstr. 7, 30169 Hannover
Language: Chinese
Registration: Free admission. Please scan the QR code below to register on Eventbrite. If you cannot scan the QR code, please copy the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991412294781 and open it in your mobile browser.
Important Notes:
- Adults and children aged 16 and above are welcome to register.
- If you are unable to attend after registration, please cancel your registration promptly to allow others to participate.
- Registered participants are requested to arrive no later than 5 minutes before the lecture begins.
- Recording is prohibited during the event. Thank you for your understanding.
- Photos will be taken during the event and will be used internally by the Blaues Haus Stiftung. Please inform us in advance if you have any objections.