Invitations to the symbolic excavation campaign "1933-1945 Nachgegraben"

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Invitations to the symbolic excavation campaign "1933-1945 Nachgegraben"

Flyer by the Active Museum and Berlin History Workshop for the “Nachgegraben” action on May 5, 1985, near the former Gestapo cellars. It calls for participation in a “commemorative action” honoring anti-Nazi resistance and the site’s history.

The archive of the Berlin History Workshop contains two invitations to the event on May 5, 1985. Unfortunately, we do not know how exactly the invitations were distributed. One invitation includes a map and hints at an excavation. Copyright: Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt e.V.

Flyer by the Active Museum and Berlin History Workshop with a map and the handwritten title “NACHGEGRABEN.” It calls for a memorial event on May 8, 1985, at the site of the former Gestapo headquarters to raise awareness of Nazi crimes and victims.

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Correspondence between Jürgen Karwelat and institutions

Letter from the Berlin History Workshop to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation requesting permission to use the area next to the Martin-Gropius-Bau for a commemorative event on May 5, 1985.

On April 22, 1985, Jürgen Karwelat of the Berlin History Workshop wrote to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which forwarded the letter to the Senate Department for Cultural Affairs. On May 2, 1985, Jürgen Karwelat received instructions to be observed. Copyright: Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt e.V.

Reply from the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation to Jürgen Karwelat: The request to use the site next to the Martin-Gropius-Bau has been forwarded to the Senate Department for Cultural Affairs. Further notice is to be expected.

Letter from the Berlin Senator for Cultural Affairs to the Berlin History Workshop: Acknowledges the planned May 5, 1985, memorial event near the Martin-Gropius-Bau and provides conditions for the use of the site.

Second page of a letter from Berlin’s Cultural Affairs Department regarding site use near the Martin-Gropius-Bau. Lists conditions including clear access routes, respect for other users, and security measures due to a planned „China exhibition“

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Invitations to the symbolic excavation campaign "1933-1945 Nachgegraben"

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Correspondence between Jürgen Karwelat and the Berlin police

Typewritten letter from the Berlin History Workshop to the police, registering a public event near the Martin-Gropius-Bau. The planned gathering is titled “End of the National Socialist Reign of Terror”

On April 2, 1985, Jürgen Karwelat from the Berlin History Workshop registered a public assembly for May 5, 1985, mentioning the reading of a text collage. The police responded on April 18, 1985, and sent an information sheet with guidelines for public gatherings. Copyright: Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt e.V.

Form issued by the Chief of Police in Berlin: confirmation of registration for a public gathering at the Martin-Gropius-Bau titled “End of the National Socialist Reign of Terror.” Organizer is the Berlin History Workshop, represented by Jürgen Karwelat.

Translucent reverse side of an official form from the Chief of Police in Berlin. The document relates to the registration of a public gathering commemorating the crimes of National Socialism.

Typewritten document listing regulations for holding public assemblies outdoors. It includes legal guidelines, safety requirements, participant conduct, and organizational responsibilities for events under public assembly law.

Second page of a typewritten document with guidelines for public assemblies. Includes regulations on signs, loudspeakers, routes, safety distances, churches, traffic, and participant behavior during demonstrations or gatherings.

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Text collage by Jürgen Karwelat

Text excerpt with a quote by Jewish survivor Lucie Adelsberger describing Gestapo persecution. Below, a historical overview of the site on Niederkirchnerstraße, once a Nazi terror center. Margins include handwritten marks “J” and “Jt”.

Jürgen Karwelat creates a “text collage” for the action on 5 May 1985, consisting of official texts from the Nazi era, personal notes from various people and his own comments. The text collage is read out during the action. Copyright: Berliner Geschichtswerkstatt e.V.

Document page reflecting on the Nazi rise to power in 1933, with a newspaper excerpt on January 30. Refers to Wilhelmstraße as a Nazi power center. Margins include handwritten annotations with the letters “J” and “Jt”.

Document page from a text collage with excerpts from the 1933 Reich Law Gazette on Nazi laws. Handwritten margin notes such as “G”, „J“ and “U” appear alongside.

Page from a text collage. Discusses the support of conservative parties for the Enabling Act of 1933 and legal justifications by German jurists. Handwritten margin notes such as “U” and “J” are visible.

Document page with text excerpts, including on the role of jurists like Theodor Maunz under National Socialism. Highlights the erosion of civil liberties and the use of the Gestapo. Handwritten margin notes read “J,” “U,” and “Jt.”

Document page with excerpts on the systematic exclusion of Jewish people by the Nazis, including a 1938 timeline of anti-Jewish measures. Handwritten margin notes include letters like “J,” “G,” and “U.”

Document page with quotes by Lucie Adelsberger about fear in her hiding place and by Hans von Dohnanyi from prison. Both were victims of Nazi persecution. Handwritten margin notes include “J,” “U,” and “Jt.”

Document page with text on resistance to Nazism, Gestapo torture, and the fates of victims such as Margarete Walter and Rudi Arndt. Handwritten margin notes include the letters “J,” “G,” “U,” and “Jt.”

Document page with text on the final phase of WWII, including a 1945 Nazi decree on summary courts and a section on the Soviet capture of Berlin. Handwritten margin notes “U” and “J” are visible.

Document page with three sections: a May 1945 Wehrmacht report, figures on victims of Nazi terror, and a conclusion highlighting the complicity of helpers in administration, justice, and business. The letter “J” appears in the page margin.

What can I find where on the site?

In the Action section you will find a selection of photos from the action. If you click on the marked people and objects , you will find information about some of the people involved at the time and the urban environment.

The Context section shows information on the historical context of the excavation.

In the Area section you will find information on landmarks in the urban environment.

The Timeline section outlines the history of the location.

The Catalogue contains a wide selection of photographs from the excavation campaign and a collection of documents relating to the campaign.

In About you will find information on the creation of this exhibition.

These areas can be accessed from anywhere via the menu.

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