80 years end of World War II and liberationProject Week with Public Events

29 April 2025, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

On 8 May 1945, World War II and the Nazi reign of terror came to an end. To mark the 80th anniversary, a range of University events commemorate this day and reflect on its significance to date.

Many faculties, initiatives, and individuals will contribute to the commemorative project week. Offers include access to a range of degree program lectures on the topic as well as specially designed lectures and events for the occasion. The comprehensive program is open to the public.

The University Museum will host a special tour on 8 May at 6 pm. Entitled Vertrieben und Geflohen: Der Wissenschaftler*innen-Exodus in der Nazi-Zeit (Displaced: the academic exodus during the Nazi era), the tour reveals the personal destinies and achievements of renowned academic such as William Stern, Ernst Cassirer, and Agathe Lasch. They were humiliated, persecuted, and displaced by Nazis—Agathe Lasch was murdered.

The faculties offer a diverse program

The Faculty of Humanities has opened several regulars courses to the general public, including the lectures “Einführung in die Geschichte der Jüdinnen und Juden in Osteuropa” and “Rechter Geschichtsrevisionismus und die Geschichte des Mittelalters.” In addition, the humanities library in the Philturm has reserved 2 tables for themed book displays. The Faculty also offers 2 public lecture series and a special University worship service on 11 May entitled “Widerständige Macht: Nie wieder! Und was Jetzt?” The service will be accompanied by the University chamber choir led by Paula Rein.

The Faculty of Education also contributes a program focusing on the current challenges in democracy education. Among other things, this includes the lecture “Historisch-politisches Lernen am Beispiel Holocaust und Nationalsozialismus als Thema in der Grundschule” on 7 May and a film presentation with a discussion entitled “Demokratiebildung in der Kinderfreundebewegung“ on 8 May—all open to the public. There are also workshops, lectures, and the series “Demokratie—Institutionen—Sozialpädagogik | Antidemokratische Entwicklungen und Gegenstrategien.” These offers are also open to the public, but registration may be requested.

The event entitled “Wer aber vom Kapitalismus nicht reden will, sollte vom Faschismus schweigen” on 6 May (registration required), including a discussion of Max Horkheimer’s essay “Die Juden in Europa,” is one of the project week offers at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. The Faculty also provides access to lectures and various workshop formats from the regular curriculum, for instance, the lecture “Befreiung vom deutschen Faschismus—80 Jahre Vereinte Nationen: Verbindungslinien, Erreichtes und fortbestehende Herausforderungen” on 12 May followed by a discussion.