Vortrag & Literarische Runde: Gedenken an den 8. Mai 1945

How Mönchengladbach writers experienced the end of the Second World War: Lecture & discussion with Prof. Dr. Ralf Georg Czapla, Lord Mayor Felix Heinrichs, Ulrich Elsen and Dieter Breymann

The Carl Brandts Haus Central Library invites you to a special commemorative event in the WandelSaal on Thursday, May 8 at 19:00: The focus will be on a lecture by literary scholar Ralf Georg Czapla on Mönchengladbach writers and their perspectives on the end of the Second World War. After the lecture, a round table invites you to a literary discussion - with voices from politics, science and culture. Czapla will be joined by Lord Mayor Felix Heinrichs, Ulrich Elsen and Dieter Breymann. Yilmaz Holtz-Ersahin, Head of Mönchengladbach City Library, will moderate the event.

Like many industrial cities in the Rhineland, Mönchengladbach lay in ruins in May 1945. However, it was precisely during this difficult time that the city's cultural forces slowly began to regenerate - especially in literature. The lecture will focus on the exiles Hans Jonas and Hans Leifhelm, two former pupils of the Abteigymnasium whose works are characterized by ethical thinking and European visions. While Jonas focuses on the principle of responsibility, Leifhelm already heralds the idea of a united Europe.

Speaker Ralf Georg Czapla is an associate professor at the German Department of the University of Heidelberg and a profound expert on the literary scene in Mönchengladbach. His numerous publications, including an annotated Leifhelm edition, have made a decisive contribution to the rediscovery of these literary voices.

The event is free of charge and registration is not required.