Lest We Forget
Photo: Ria Billmann
Bochum-Gerthe. In the environs of Lothringen Shaft 3, part of a now-closed mine, there are still traces of the 1980s. Once home to students, the area has become a residential community where refreshingly alternative lifestyles are still apparent.
But the residents had a shock in 2001: the grounds of their home, a former hostel for apprentice miners, were once a camp for forced labourers under the Nazi regime. In order to preserve this harrowing chapter of history, the residents concerned formed an association, "Bewahren durch Beleben" (Lest We Forget), and developed an innovative way of coming to terms with the past. Dressed as a historical figure, an actor guides visitors around the area, telling them of its history. This unique tour is complemented by a permanent exhibition.
Through the dedication and hard work of a team of volunteers, the residents are bringing the buildings to life, giving a voice to the witnesses of the past, initiating research, providing access to bricked-up, forgotten locations, finding and salvaging historical objects - and making the area's eventful history accessible to the public in all its facets in both a candid and imaginative way.
Three historically staged guided tours have been created to date. "Klawdija" investigates the forced-labour camp that existed here until 1945, while "It Happened In Our Midst" recounts the life of Heinrich Fischer, a victim of Nazi terror perpetrated by his neighbours in Gerthe. The third tour, "Point of No Return", remembers Bochum pastor Hans Ehrenberg, a co-founder of the Confessing Church opposition movement. Follow-up discussions after the guided tours are an integral part of the events.
Spring - Autumn 2010
Approx. 8 historically staged guided tours
Only in German
Wohnprojekt Gerthe, Christuskirche Bochum
You can find further information (in German) at:
http://freenet-homepage.de/www.bewahrendurchbeleben.de/