Memories of the war: contemporary witness reports in Schweinfurt awakening

Memories of the war: contemporary witness reports in Schweinfurt awakening

On June 20, 2025, a reading was held as part of a meeting of the SPD AG 60plus in the SPD sub -district of Schweinfurt/Kitzingen, which brought about memories of moving times. That evening, Irene Handfest-Müller, who is known as a district archive nurse, presented a book that combines contemporary witness reports on life in Schweinfurt from 1939 to 1949. These reports provide an honest insight into everyday life during the war and the immediate post-war years, as [mainpost.de reports] (https://www.mainpost.de/schweinfurt/stadtschweinfurt/schweinfurt-bomben-angst-und-truemmer- An- Warfly Day-in-Schweinfurt-1091218).

The book is not only a time document, but also a valuable contribution to the culture of memory in the region. The publishing handproof miller systematically interviewed contemporary witnesses and compiled their experiences. It was particularly impressive that the contemporary witnesses themselves were brought up at the reading. Here you could feel how alive the memories are and how important it is to capture these stories.

a look into the past

This reading is part of a larger initiative to document the stories about the development and changes in Schweinfurt. Another example of this is the "Schweinfurt Mainleite", which was founded in 1949 as a newsletter of the cultural association. The edition has changed again and again since its origin. From 1950 she was published under the title "Die Mainleite" and developed under the editorial team of Dr. Günther Fuhrmann to a cultural magazine. As early as 1970, the concept was reissued as a collection of local history contributions, and as it is recorded on Historischer-verein-schweinfurt.de, the quarterly script has meanwhile a continuous register inventory.

The importance of these publications is not only evident in the preservation of history, but also in the possibility of making these stories accessible to a broad audience. Historical events and personal nights have shaped the region and enrich our cultural heritage.

preserve memories

The contemporary witness portal, which is operated by the Haus der History of the Federal Republic of Germany, also serves the purpose of documenting and spreading such memories, as can be seen on Zeitzeugen-Portal.de. This shows how important it is to hear the voices of the past and to carry them into the present.

The events and publications remind us that the past influences our present and that it is important not to be forgotten the experiences of the time. Especially in today's fast -moving time, it is a valuable asset to gain access to these stories and perspectives. The reading and the diverse publications are a step in the direction of maintaining dialogue about our history.