Heidelberg commemorates: exhibitions and lectures at the end of the war in 1945

Heidelberg commemorates: exhibitions and lectures at the end of the war in 1945

The Second World War ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, an event that still resonates today and evokes memories and discussions not only in Germany, but worldwide. Against this background, Heidelberg University is planning a broad program for the 80th anniversary that aims to specifically engage with the past. The initiatives aim to promote a culture of remembrance that focuses on values ​​such as freedom, peace and democracy.

One of the central projects is the Ruperto Carola lecture series with the title “1945: Epoch Threshold and Space of Experience”. This will open on April 19, 2025 and will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Manfred Berg led. In this format, nine speakers from Germany, Austria and the USA will present different perspectives on the events and human experiences at the end of the war. The lectures offer a look back at the end of the Second World War in the context of the 20th century and reconstruct the human experience and individual suffering.

Post-war exhibitions

Also part of the program is the exhibition “1945: Heidelberg – All Lost?”, which opened on May 4, 2025 in the foyer of the New University. It addresses five central aspects of the post-war period, including the invasion of the Americans, the implementation of the denazification process and the living situation of the displaced people. The difficult nutritional situation and the new beginning of educational and cultural life during this time are also highlighted. This exhibition can be seen until July 11, 2025.

In addition, another exhibition will be shown at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies: “1945: Leonard McCombe – Nach dem Krieg / Aftermath of War”. This presents photographs by war correspondent Leonard McCombe from the period 1944 to 1946, which document the misery of flight and expulsion in Europe. McCombe, who became known during his career as one of the youngest members of the Royal Photographic Society, has published his photographs for magazines such as Colliers and LIFE Magazine. The exhibition is accompanied by audio contributions from the photographer and can be seen Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The importance of the culture of remembrance

Consideration of these historical events is important not only for understanding the past, but also for shaping the present. The culture of remembrance shows its relevance particularly when dealing with the dark chapters of German history. A progressive alienation during the Nazi era underlines the need to continue to discuss and educate people about these issues. Remembering the atrocities of National Socialism and the Holocaust victims remains a challenge that cannot be neglected even in today's world.

As the Federal Agency for Civic Education emphasizes, dealing with the past is crucial in order to draw lessons from history and to counteract current forms of misanthropy. In this regard, Wolfgang Benz's planned publication on the "Future of Memory" in spring 2025 will be of great interest and provide additional impulses for the discussion about the German culture of remembrance.

Overall, the Heidelberg University program offers numerous opportunities to engage with historical heritage and the responsibility that comes with it. The events and exhibitions invite reflection and discussion, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of remembering past events.