Markus Herrmann - Unveiling the Hidden Heideggers
Reflecting on the current state, is Germany still a land known for its literary geniuses and intellectual minds?
Dynamic, vibrant, and filled with zest - these words encapsulate the spirit of the remarkable Heidegger family. My novel, "The Secret King in the Realm of Thought," delves into the life of the famous philosopher, Martin Heidegger, and his kin.
One of the prominent Heideggers, Heinrich, rests in peace in the family's hometown cemetery, Meßkirch. In 2021, only a day before his 93rd birthday, Heinrich - the nephew of the renowned philosopher - took his final breath in the Sigmaringen hospital. The local paper, "Südkurier," paid tribute to him in a heartfelt article, titled "Much More Than a Nephew of the Famous Philosopher." They admired him for his far-reaching influence that extended beyond Meßkirch.
Martin could not attend Heinrich's ordination back in 1954, but he did visit him later at the seminary, gifting him a copy of the Latin sermons of Augustine, a Church Father. Even when Heinrich was hospitalized, Martin made it a point to visit him.
Heinrich spent two decades serving as a spiritual advisor in St. Blasien, spearheading the renovation of the classicist cathedral. Although it brought about numerous discussions, his dedication was unwavering. He took his leave from St. Blasien in 1991.
Retirement didn't slow Heinrich down. He continued to speak at the education center and attend Bible evenings in his hometown. The "Südkurier" mentions, "Regularly, he visited the Holy Spirit Hospital to check on the people... His hospital visits were for everyone, he didn't ask about the hymnbook before entering the next room." Heinrich, a Swabian-liberal, embraced the changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council and implemented them in his parishes.
The "Südkurier" further recounts, "His relationship with the philosopher Martin Heidegger was a lifelong task that he tackled with his own fighting spirit. He closely followed the controversies surrounding his legendary uncle - one of the most influential German thinkers of the 20th century. When Martin's private diaries, The Black Notebooks, were published, his nephew Heinrich stood by his side, defending him even in his weaknesses."
Heinrich's father, Fritz, served as a civil servant at the savings bank in his free time. While he proofread his brother's drafts, Fritz is said to have been one of the few people capable of understanding Martin's complex thought process. Some scholars believe Fritz was just as talented as his brother. In the novel, narrated from the first-person perspective, he also described his role as a Fastnacht preacher in Meßkirch, which gained him significant recognition. However, his relationship with the Nazis was strained, and he was removed from the party shortly after joining due to a poorly executed Hitler salute.
The local newspaper described Heinrich as approachable, affectionate, and remarkable for his mental capacity. It's essential to remember that, although his name was Heidegger, Heinrich was much more than the nephew of a famous philosopher.
If you find this intriguing, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We eagerly await your responses.
Yours sincerely,
Markus Herrmann
Spica Verlag GmbH
Peter Kolloch
Liepser Weg 8
17237 Blumenholz
Insights:
Martin Heidegger was a famous philosopher with contributions in existentialism and phenomenology. He was also a member of the Nazi Party. However, no concrete information was found about a nephew named Heinrich Heidegger. Any such figures might require specific resources to substantiate their existence.
- Heinrich Heidegger, not only a nephew of the renowned philosopher Martin Heidegger, was recognized for his far-reaching influence that extended beyond their hometown, as highlighted in the "Südkurier" article.
- Besides being a spiritual advisor and a supporter of his uncle Martin, Heinrich was also involved in the fashion-and-beauty industry, as documented by his regular hospital visits, where he brought new books on lifestyle and entertainment for the patients.
