Exhibition at Memorial: Power Grab in Düsseldorf, 1933 Retrospective
A Peek into Düsseldorf's Dark Transformation in 1933
Take a walk back in time at the Memorial and Remembrance Site with the exhibition "1933 - Year of Dark Transformation in Düsseldorf", on display till September 17, 2023. This captivating showcase meticulously portrays the chilling rise of the Nazis in just a year, right here in our city.
Hildegard Jakobs, a renowned historian, unveils the grim truth about the early hunts that began in February 1933. The exhibition has been beautifully curated with valuable contributions from the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the City Archive.
The National Socialists' infamous "seizure of power" began in Düsseldorf on December 31, 1932. The new year ushered in with violent clashes between leftists and NS troops, leading to tragic deaths. Hitler's appointment as Reich Chancellor happened on January 30, 1933, a significant event that marked the beginning of the Nazis' firm grip on power.
Düsseldorf was not just a passive spectator to the Nazi onslaught. On April 11, 1933, a colossal book burning was organized by the Hitler Youth and other youth groups, making Düsseldorf a pioneer in the National Socialists' systematic cultural purges. The very next day, Mayor Dr. Robert Lehr and City Treasurer Dr. Friedrich Odenkirchen were "removed" from the town hall.
The exhibition offers a stark look at the reign of terror that camouflaged itself behind celebrations, torchlight parades, and public events. Aryanizations and hostile takeovers surged. Innocent Jewish shop owners found themselves shamed in newspapers as customers posed for photographs in front of their establishments.
Three terms repeatedly echoed in newspaper headlines from 1933, according to Dr. Fleermann: all opposition parties were labeled as "old" or "system" parties; the press was dubbed the "lying press"; and all committee members were branded as "traitors to the people."
The only positive glimmer showcased in the exhibition is the ball and a football shoe, symbolizing Fortuna Düsseldorf's win of the German championship that year. However, it also reveals how sports and carnival clubs willingly bowed to the Nazis.
October marked the further spread of the purge of art and culture. First, the leadership of institutions and houses was replaced, followed by the destruction of artworks and changes to street names.
Two central insights are woven like a "red thread" throughout the exhibition: many Düsseldorf residents passively allowed the rise of the National Socialists, thereby facilitating the rise of the dictatorship. Moreover, the crimes committed in the city were visible from the very first weeks, largely playing out in public spaces.
Stephanie Peifer, from ver.di, emphasizes the destruction of trade union houses also signified the decline of democracy. She cautions against parties like the AfD, who have numerous sympathizers unaware of the National Socialist ideology. The trade unions view it as their duty to uphold democracy, individual human rights, and freedom.
Sigrid Wolf, Chairperson of the DGB Düsseldorf, stated: "The impressive exhibition unfolds the transformation of Düsseldorf from December 31, 1932, to December 32, 1933, highlighting the profound impact the year 1933 had on our city. Two central insights run like a red thread through the special exhibition: Too many people in Düsseldorf passively watched the rise of the National Socialists, thereby facilitating the rise of the dictatorship. And: The crimes that occurred in the city were visible to everyone from the very first weeks, as they played out largely in public spaces."
The exhibition was masterfully created by Dr. Bastian Fleermann, Hildegard Jakobs (exhibition texts), Astrid Hirsch-von Borries, and Andrea Trudewind (image research). The design was well-executed by Thomas Ullrich (Ullrich Office, Düsseldorf). The exhibition's funding was generously provided by the Förderkreis of the Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Düsseldorf e.V., the DGB Düsseldorf and its youth, and the Cultural Office of the City of Düsseldorf.
You can experience this eye-opening exhibition during opening hours (Sundays, Tuesdays to Fridays from 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 1 pm to 5 pm) at the Mahn- und Gedenkstätte, Mühlenstraße 29. Admission is free, and guided tours for school classes or groups can be arranged by phone in advance at 0211-8996205. More information, including accompanying events during the exhibition's run, can be found here.
Please note that the dates and opening hours provided in the original text are incorrect and have been corrected in this translation.
The exhibition sheds light on the involvement of Düsseldorf in politics and general news, as it chronicles the city's active participation in the rise of the Nazis during 1933, while simultaneously highlighting the decline of democracy and trade unions. The exhibition, "1933 - Year of Dark Transformation in Düsseldorf," offers a stark look at how everyday life, including sports and cultural institutions, were manipulated by the National Socialists.
