SASCHA LANGE: Jugendopposition im Nationalsozialismus

In the organizer's words:

In March, the author and historian Sascha Lange presented his new book "Die Geschichte der Leipziger Meuthen - Jugend im Nationalsozialismus" (The History of the Leipzig Meuthen - Youth under National Socialism) and invites you to a reading about the Leipzig Meuthen and youth resistance under the Nazi regime.

During the National Socialist era, there were oppositional youth groups all over Germany. Leipzig was one of the centers. From the mid-1930s, up to 1,500 girls and boys met in the city in cliques outside the Hitler Youth and rebelled against the Nazi regime.

HJ members also joined the Meuten, as they found the informal youth life there much more attractive. The girls and boys went hiking on their own or met on the street in their neighborhoods. And they became active against the HJ: with littering and brawls. In smaller groups, they listened to banned radio stations and discussed a Germany without Nazis.

The Gestapo and the judiciary persecuted the packs, they were tried by the People's Court for "preparation for high treason" and some were even deported to Buchenwald concentration camp.

"Die Geschichte der Leipziger Meuten" is an impressive and comprehensive account of youthful rebellion and the struggle for freedom during a terrible dictatorship. A book about youth cultures, non-conformity, opposition and resistance.

Sascha Lange has spent more than ten years researching this topic. The detailed history of the Leipzig Meuten is being published for the first time.

The reading will be supplemented by excerpts from Sascha Lange's standard work "Meuten, Swings & Edelweißpiraten" to provide a comprehensive insight into the oppositional youth culture against the Nazi regime.

The reading will be accompanied by numerous photos.