Memorials in Entryway at University of Tuebingen
Pictures and text by Mark R. Hatlie
Just inside the main entryway to the Neue Aula, what might still be considered the main building of the university, there are two memorial plaques referring to events of the Nazi period.
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To the right, there is a bust of the Wuerttemberg king Wilhelm and, closer to the window, a large plaque. |
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The plaque refers to the reprisals that followed the assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July, 1994. Thousands of people were killed, including the men whose names are listed here. It reads, "20 July, 1944 / Freedom, long we sought you / by our breeding, our deeds and our suffering / Now in death we recognize / You yourself in the face of God / Deitrich Bonhoffer", then after the list of names, "In their youth students of the University of Tuebingen they went with others in resistance to national socialism to their deaths / 20 July, 1984". Dietrich Bonhoffer, the author of the poem and one of the victims listed, was a famous Tuebingen theologian. |
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On the left of the doors in the entryway, there is a bust of Karl Eberhard, the founder of the university, and another memorial. |
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It reads, "So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Ecclesiastes 4:1 / For those who experienced suffering and death because of our weakness, arrogance and blindness. For those who took iniquity upon themselves and called injustice injustice. For those who sacrificed themselves in good faith. For those, who saw no way out. For those who are willing to draw on the lessons. 1933 1945 1985 Karl-Eberhard-University". |
