NEVER AGAIN! Commemoration of February 15

The bombing of German cities was a consequence of National Socialist ideology, beginning with the seizure of power on January 30, 1933. Responsibility for the future also means looking to the past without historical slander. The increasing normalization of "right-wing ideas" in our city makes it necessary to clearly perceive the historical environment from 1933 to 1945.

The Cottbuser Aufbruch invites citizens as well as students and employees of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg on February 15, 2023 to deal with the time, the places and the events of 1933 to 1945. For this purpose, combinable offers have been developed that address different interest groups.

Thematic guided tours in the city museum

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. "Cottbus in Flames - February 15, 1945 " Target group: Pupils and students as well as all interested persons Location: City Museum, Bahnhofstr. 22

February 15 is still a day of remembrance and commemoration today. The background and the importance of this date as a day of remembrance should be made aware to pupils through this project. The large-scale bombing of the city was experienced by thousands of Cottbus residents in very different ways.

After a short guided tour through the permanent exhibition and the former air-raid shelter of the Sparkasse building, the students will deal with various contemporary witness accounts. They are accompanied by original objects of the time and historical photographs of the city of Cottbus (cost: 1 euro p.p., duration: approx. 90 minutes). Registration is required for this offer. Please send an e-mail torobert.bueschel(at)cottbus.de

3 p.m. "Cottbus - the years up to February 15, 1945" Target group: all interested parties Location: Stadtmuseum, Bahnhofstr. 22

On the occasion of the anniversary of the air raid on the city of Cottbus, the late twenties and the period of the Nazi dictatorship will be presented in a short guided tour through the exhibition in the City Museum. The focus is on the world economic crisis and the National Socialist dictatorship. On the one hand the way into the war is described, on the other hand also the persecution and murder of dissenters (admission free). Please register by email stadtmuseum(at)cottbus.de or by phone 0355 612 2460.

City tour

4 p.m. "Sites of the perpetrators in Cottbus - a tour of four central sites of the Nazi takeover" - meeting point: Altmarkt/stage for all those interested.

This guided tour will visit Cottbus sites where key decisions were made and key people worked for the seizure of power and later support of the Hitler regime.

Final rally

5 - 6 p.m. rally and commemoration on the Altmarkt square

Also this year, on the anniversary of the bombing of Cottbus/Chóśebuz, we commemorate the horrors of war, violence, destruction and the causes. The murderous ideology of National Socialism, megalomania, racism and anti-Semitism have brought immeasurable suffering to people. Therefore, this day is also an occasion to reflect on human dignity and the democratic values on which our peaceful and social coexistence is based.

Additional offerings

11:45 a.m. Memorial service Location: Luther Church

On February 15, we commemorate the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Cottus South on February 15, 1945, when the train station, Luther Church and hospital were hit hard. During a short devotion from 11:45 -12:15, the bells of Luther Church will be rung at 11:53. Superintendent Georg Thimme arranged this devotion with musical accompaniment. Regardless of denomination and ideology, all who care about silent remembrance and the plea for peace are cordially invited.

"Remembering on site - 1933 Cottbus".

There will be the opportunity to go on your own exploratory walk. An audio walk by the Brandenburg '33 project "Remembering on Site - 1933 Cottbus" leads in a good 60 minutes to various places in the city of Cottbus, which tells the story of the transfer of power to the NSDAP in 1933 based on selected daily events.