Traffic arterial in Hamburg gets a new name and commits an embarrassing blunder
In a significant move, the city of Hamburg has renamed several streets to honour two individuals who stood up courageously for democracy and humanity during challenging times. Among them is Traute Lafrenz, a member of the White Rose non-violent resistance group during World War II.
Traute Lafrenz, born in Hamburg in 1919, was arrested on March 15, 1943, and later transferred to St. Georgen prison in Bayreuth. She was freed by US troops in April 1945. After the war, she emigrated to the USA in 1947, where she spent the rest of her life. Sadly, Traute Lafrenz passed away on March 6, 2023.
The renaming of the streets reflects a decision to replace the former street names associated with controversial historical figures with those of individuals who represented courage and opposition to tyranny. The Traute-Lafrenz-Straße runs through the districts of Groß Borstel, Alsterdorf, and Winterhude, while the southern section of the former Hindenburgstraße, up to the Jahnring, is being renamed Otto-Wels-Straße.
The Traute-Lafrenz-Straße was officially named on August 1, 2025, when Hindenburgstraße was renamed to Traute-Lafrenz-Straße. The renaming of Otto-Wels-Straße symbolically closes a gap, as another part of this street was named after the brave SPD politician in 2013.
The renaming of the streets was decided by the Hamburg-Nord district assembly in 2024, and the new street signs were unveiled at a ceremony at the Martin-Luther-Kirche in Alsterdorf on Friday at 4 p.m. Jana Schiedek, State Councilor for Culture and Media, saw the new street names as a demand for democracy and respect. Dr. Bettina Schomburg, head of the Nord district office, stated that the renaming is a good day for Hamburg-Nord as it brings Lafrenz's courageous commitment for freedom, democracy, and her active resistance against the Nazi regime into the present of the city society.
An exhibition "Traute Lafrenz and the White Rose" is available in the foyer of the Nord district office until August 31. The ceremony and exhibition aim to honour Traute Lafrenz, a resistance fighter, and Otto Wels, a brave SPD politician. The renaming of the Hindenburg Bridge to the Traute-Lafrenz Bridge is also part of this commemoration.
The new street names are a reminder of individuals who made significant contributions to democracy and humanity in Hamburg. Traute Lafrenz, Otto Wels, and the new street names remember individuals who decisively and bravely stood up for democracy and humanity. The city is setting a sign against authoritarian traditions with the new street names.
In the context of the renaming of streets in Hamburg, politics play a vital role as the city chooses to honor individuals who stood courageously for democracy and humanity, such as Traute Lafrenz. The general news of the renaming has also drawn attention to Traute-Lafrenz-Straße and Otto-Wels-Straße, symbolizing the city's commitment to remember and honor those who made significant contributions to democracy and humanity.
