Commemorative speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Europe-ending World War II defeat of National Socialism
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On the 80th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism and the end of World War II in Europe, the city of Ingolstadt, in partnership with the Ingolstadt City Theatre, invites residents to a special marathon reading commemorating this significant event.
On May 8, 2025, starting at 12:00, the city invites participants to a unique participatory reading of Erich Kästner's "The Blue Book." This novel not only documents the harrowing days of World War II but also embodies a resilient spirit to remember and resist dictatorship. The event will be held in the Mittelfoyer of the Ingolstadt City Theatre, which has already showcased Kästner's works such as "The Conference of the Animals" and "Fabian or The Gang to the Dogs" this season.
Erich Kästner, a prominent German writer known for his children's novels like "Emil and the Detectives" and "The Flying Classroom," wrote "The Blue Book" as a secret diary during the time he was ostracized by the National Socialists. During the war, he penned down his experiences in this book, hidden among his other books, which included accounts of the horrors of war, army reports, mass executions, jokes about the Nazi leadership, and his everyday life marked by power cuts and bombing raids. "The Blue Book" serves as a contemporary witness account and an endeavor by the author to comprehend the mechanics and incomprehensible atrocities of the time.
The event will feature an interactive experience where people from the city society are encouraged to actively participate by reading select passages from "The Blue Book" in 15-minute intervals. Registration is possible via email at [email protected]. The city and the theatre aim to use this reading as an opportunity for intensive engagement with the past and a look towards the future.
The event will be initiated by Mayor Dr. Michael Kern, who will read the first text section of "The Blue Book," followed by Culture Referent Marc Grandmontagne. The reading will take place from 12:00 to 17:30.
Integrating literature and history, this special participatory reading event promises to foster a sense of community while providing a poignant reminder of the past.
In light of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the subsequent liberation from National Socialism, the city of Ingolstadt is organizing a unique public reading event focused on politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts, featuring Erich Kästner's "The Blue Book." This novel, written as a secret diary during the author's ostracization by the National Socialists, offers an eyewitness account of the war and serves as an attempt to understand the atrocities of the time. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to actively engage by reading select passages from "The Blue Book," aiming to facilitate intensive engagement with the past towards a future perspective.
