Erlangen 1945/46 at the City Archive: History between end and new beginning
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Erlangen 1945/46: Between the end of the war, new beginnings, and democratic awakening
At the City Archive of Erlangen, two exhibitions focus on the crucial months after the end of World War II. The presentations "Yesterday must make way for today." Erlangen 1945/46 and "Erlangen between end and beginning. The municipal election in Erlangen on May 26, 1946" make visible how urban life was reorganized after the peaceful handover of Erlangen on April 16, 1945.
A city between preservation and change
Erlangen was largely spared from destruction during the war. Nonetheless, 1945 marked the beginning of a profound social and political transformation. The exhibitions tell the story of the dismantling of Nazi structures, the reorganization of administration and public life, and the difficult supply situation for a growing population.
Everyday life after the war: School, housing, and Bergkirchweih
The poster exhibition, created by students of the Albert Schweitzer Gymnasium in Erlangen in collaboration with the City Archive, focuses on concrete everyday experiences. The resumption of school operations, housing situation, the first Bergkirchweih after the war, and collaboration with the American military government all represent a new beginning marked by uncertainty and drive.
The first free local election after the dictatorship
The second exhibition focuses on the municipal election of May 26, 1946. This first democratic election after 13 years of dictatorship took place under difficult conditions: accommodation, population movements, denazification measures, and unclear resident situations shaped the circumstances. The historical examination of election materials and archival documents illustrates democracy as a demanding process that requires concrete conditions even at the municipal level.
Originals, archival materials, and cultural education
The exhibition connects historical research with cultural education. Original documents, posters, and archival evidence provide an immediate aesthetic experience of urban history. The exhibition atmosphere in the reading room directs attention to written images, political symbols, and the materiality of historical sources. Thus, history is not only explained, but experienced as a vibrant artistic experience of memory.
Conclusion: Experience the history of democracy on site
Visitors can expect a concentrated, illustrative exhibition on the post-war era in Erlangen, which connects local history with questions of responsibility, memory, and democratic new beginnings. Anyone who wants to understand how a new political everyday life emerged from the end of a dictatorship should definitely visit this special presentation at the City Archive of Erlangen live.
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