The 2nd conference on democracy took place in the district of Haberge in the Rudolf-Winkler-Haus in Zeil under the title “Remember and Experience”. The democracy conference, which takes place at least once a year, is an important element of public relations and networking for the federal program “Living Democracy”, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth. “Living Democracy” is about actively opposing all forms of extremism, violence and misanthropy, promoting civil engagement by citizens and advocating democratic participation for everyone in the district.
“75 years after the end of the Second World War,” remembering and experiencing “is a very emotional and very important topic that is always topical,” said District Administrator Wilhelm Schneider, who is also chairman of the monitoring committee. Zeil’s mayor Thomas Stadelmann emphasized that one should be grateful for the longest phase without a war. Nonetheless, especially nowadays, it is necessary to talk about democracy and to strengthen it.
Forced labor in the Schweinfurt industry
Through the various contributions to the event, the arc from yesterday to today was drawn. For example, Klaus Hofmann from Schweinfurt presented the “Initiative against forgetting”, in which he has been working on a voluntary basis for decades. Among other things, the subject of forced labor in the Schweinfurt industrial companies is dealt with with testimony from contemporary witnesses and documents. Already 11,500 forced laborers have precise data such as name, nationality, job and more, says Hofmann.
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The afternoon of conversation led by Daniela Schwarz from the coordination and specialist office in the multi-generation house in Hafurt also showed that the project was being implemented. Martina Meisch, youth social worker at the Hafurt vocational school, showed those present how one can strengthen the understanding of democracy in young adults. Some time ago, Meisch invited a former neo-Nazi who had successfully left the scene and told the apprentices about his career. The man who honestly regrets having inflicted harm on others left a lasting impression on the Sciliar.
Terrible memories of the end of the war
After a specialist lecture on the culture of remembrance, the historian Susanne Greiter led a panel discussion. In addition to Hofmann and Maisch, the representative of the youth forum, Hannah Baunacher, discussed with Wilhelm Wolpert as a contemporary witness. The man from Hafurt impressively described how, as an eight-year-old boy, he experienced the end of the war in the district town. “The days were terrible for me when the war ended,” said Wolpert and also remembers the bright glow that he saw from the Hafurter Main Bridge when Wrzburg was bombed. Wolpert also has fond memories of the subsequent demolition of the Hafurt Bridge by fanatical supporters of the regime.
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Zeil
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Christian Licha
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Vocational schools
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Brger
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democracy
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Women
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End of war
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Regimes
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senior citizens
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Thomas Stadelmann
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World wars
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Wilhelm Schneider
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Forced labor
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Slave labor
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