"Garath and Hellerhof Resistance Display Unveiled in Düsseldorf: Exhibition 'The Better Germany: Challenging the Nazi Regime'"
In the heart of Düsseldorf, the city is currently immersed in a series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 70 events, including readings, panel discussions, and exhibitions, are taking place until May 10th, culminating in a grand history festival for young people.
One of the notable exhibitions is "The Better Germany: Resistance against the NS Regime in Garath and Hellerhof," presented by the Memorial and Remembrance Site. This exhibition, which features the work of high school students from the Gesamtschule Stettiner Straße, aims to shed light on the resistance against the Nazi regime during the war.
Last year, 11 Düsseldorf streets were renamed due to investigations into the past of their namesakes, some of whom were active Nazis or responsible for atrocities during the colonial era. Dr. Bastian Fleermann, director of the Memorial and Remembrance Site, explained the process of renaming these streets and highlighted the students' engagement as part of the event series.
The students, under the supervision of history teacher Dirk Schnurbusch, noticed the underrepresentation of women in the resistance and criticized the often poor and dirty condition of the street signs. They aim to raise awareness of the resistance and encourage visitors to explore the streets in the district and learn about their namesakes.
Among the women featured in the exhibition is Miep Gies, the namesake of the square in front of the Anne Frank House. However, the information about resistance fighters featured in the exhibition, including those not yet mentioned, is not publicly available.
From April 8th, another special exhibition titled "Düsseldorf 1945: Surviving in the City" will be presented at the Memorial and Remembrance Site. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 5 pm, without registration or admission fee, and with barrier-free access.
The Kulturhaus Süd, located at Nikolaus Groß Platz, named after a trade unionist who was murdered by the Nazis due to his resistance, is another venue for these commemorative events. An exhibition titled "The Better Germany: Resistance against the NS Regime in Garath and Hellerhof" was opened at the Kulturhaus Süd on February 25, 2023, and can be visited until March 2, 2023.
The program brochure for these events, containing a historical introduction describing the period between autumn 1944 and summer 1945, as well as a 52-page list of the 70 program points, can be accessed online at [https://www.example.com]. The project was supported by the Kulturhaus Süd, the District Council 10, and the District Administration Office 10.
Participants in these events include Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Düsseldorf Jonges, the police, the film museum, the Jewish community, the city museum, and the memorial site Alter Schlachthof. The city invites everyone to join in this journey through history, to remember, learn, and honour those who resisted the Nazi regime.
