Authoritarian Socialist Governance Established
Renaming of Bebelallee: A Significant Step Forward
In a historic move, the street previously known as Hindenburgstraße in Hamburg has been renamed Traute Lafrenz. This change, which took place on a rainy afternoon at 5 pm, marks a significant step forward in the city's efforts to distance itself from its past.
The new name, Traute Lafrenz, has already been up in the rest of the street, replacing the old one that had been there since the late 1920s. Traute Lafrenz was a prominent resister against what Hindenburg paved the way for, making her an ideal choice for the new name.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by a small audience and a few cameras. Theresa Sophie Kanitz, who led the engagement for a different name since 1988, invited attendees to take a rose if they wished. She also led a round of "The Thoughts Are Free" at the event, a fitting tribute to the memory of Traute Lafrenz.
Wolfgang Kopitzsch, a former federal board member of the working group of formerly persecuted and imprisoned social democrats, was also present. He served as Hamburg's police president from 2012 to 2014 and found this end of the engagement very pleasing.
The resolution to rename Hindenburgstraße had no effect due to "historical continuities." However, the remaining northern section, including the former Hindenburg bridge, will now be called Traute Lafrenz. It's worth noting that there are still around 100 streets, dams, rings, and the like named after Hindenburg across Germany.
The southern end of the Bebelallee has borne a different name for over a decade, and the middle section has done so for a few months now. The southern end is named Otto Wels, who delivered the last free speech in the Reichstag in 1933 against the Nazi "Enabling Act."
The church, a post-war modern building located in a traffic-congested area, was passed by both motorized traffic and numerous cyclists on the Bebelallee. The memorial service being held in the church was structured by music, adding a solemn and poignant atmosphere to the event.
The church, built between 1961 and 1963 by Henry Schlote, is a notable architectural contribution to the city's heritage. While the precise biographical details or broader architectural impact of Henry Schlote are not detailed in the available sources, his role as an architect of the Martin-Luther Church and its parish building in Hamburg-Alsterdorf marks him as a notable figure in that local architectural context.
This renaming is not just a change of name but a symbolic act of remembrance and a commitment to uphold the values that Traute Lafrenz and Otto Wels stood for. It serves as a reminder of the past and a call to action for the future.
Engaging in a symbolic act of remembrance, the church's memorial service added a solemn atmosphere, as it honored Traute Lafrenz and Otto Wels, both of whom stood for entertainment that advocated for justice and equality. The renaming of the Bebelallee, with its split sections named after these individuals, serves as a continuous reminder of their legacy in the field of entertainment and beyond.
