Kurpfalz News
“Culture School Leipzig” on a visit
The students from grades 9 to K2 of the Kurpfalz Boarding School were able to attend a theater production titled “Stauffenberg – Treason or Resistance,” which was performed in the school’s own atrium. The ensemble of the “Kulturschule Leipzig” – Daniela and Günther Frese – came to visit and presented a thoroughly successful adaptation of the historical material.
On July 20, 1944, the Hitler assassin Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg detonated a bomb at the “Führer Headquarters” in East Prussia. The bomb missed its target, and Hitler survived. Stauffenberg had to pay for his act with his life that same night.
July 20, 1944 has become a symbol of the German resistance against the dictatorship and reign of terror of the National Socialists. It is recorded in history as the “Uprising of Conscience.” Even today – in light of the challenges facing modern democracies – Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and his comrades are regarded as role models, and numerous schools bear his name.
Conceived as a two-person play by the “Cultural School Leipzig,” the fateful story of German militarism and nationalism from the Imperial era, through World War I, the Weimar Republic, and Hitler’s rise to power, culminating in Stauffenberg’s assassination attempt and his end, was illustrated in concise episodes by alternating between a “moderator figure” (Daniela Frese) and the role of Stauffenberg (Günther Frese) – repeatedly complemented by recordings of original audio contributions, such as speeches by Hitler or the Wehrmacht’s oath of loyalty to “the Führer.” One could experience the young Stauffenberg, who wrote patriotic poems and initially associated hopes with the new “National Socialism,” but later came to know the regime’s cruel side as a soldier and consistently and courageously rejected its contempt for humanity – even when this required the use of violence and the sacrifice of his own life. Thus, a question increasingly came to the forefront: “Was it permissible, should it be done, or was there a moral obligation to assassinate Hitler?”
Through interspersed comments, the focus on the relevance of the theme “Resistance Against a Dictatorship” was sharpened – thus, the play is placed in the context of “School Without Racism – School with Courage” and democracy education, which the Kurpfalz boarding school is also committed to.
In the subsequent discussion round, it became especially clear how important a functioning civil society is, which defends democratic values by peaceful means and makes young people aware of their responsibilities: “Never again is now!”
[Report written by: D. Blum, Head of German and Social Sciences]
Contact us or request a brochure
Would you like to find out more? Contact us now or request our free brochure.