Kunze’s city stories: Discover Weißenfels’ secret past!”

Kunze’s city stories: Discover Weißenfels’ secret past!”

Interesting things are happening in Weißenfels! From September 24, 2025, the Burgenlandkreis Adult Education Center will start a new series of events called “Kunze’s City Stories”. Johannes Kunze, an experienced speaker, will introduce the citizens to the city's fascinating past and share many exciting anecdotes. Everyone can be there and immerse themselves in the story!

This series includes a total of four lectures. The event begins with a lecture about the special aspects of the former Weißenfels Princely School. A remarkable ceremony from 1664 is examined in more detail. It is interesting that the lecture is based on the extensive research of Dr. Otto Klein, an art educator and author who delved deeper into German archival research and made many exciting discoveries there. His knowledge and insights flow directly into the presentation, so that participants will learn a lot about the history of the school, which at times had an almost university-like character.

Dates and their topics

• Erster Vortrag: Besonderheiten der ehemaligen Weißenfelser Fürstenschule am 24. September 2025
• Zweiter Vortrag: Visualisierte Autofahrt durch Weißenfels im Januar 1991 am 22. Oktober 2025
• Dritter Vortrag: Weißenfels zu Zeiten der Friedlichen Revolution am 29. Oktober 2025
• Vierter Vortrag: Der Weißenfelser Filmclub und seine spannende Geschichte am 26. November 2025

The lectures take place in room 1.1/1.2 at the adult education center in Weißenfels. Anyone interested in the historical development of the city and the associated educational history should register quickly! Spaces are limited and there are numerous exciting topics to encourage discussion.

Historical foundation

Exploring the history of the Weißenfels Princely School is particularly exciting as it was founded in 1664 by Duke August, the first regent of the Duchy of Saxony-Weißenfels. The aim was to boost the education system after the devastation of the Thirty Years' War. At that time, education was already considered the basis for social development, which is reflected in the topics of the lectures. Although education was almost exclusively available to boys in the 17th century, the first steps towards progressive education began.

Scientists like Sascha Salatowsky support the analysis of this exciting era in school history, which is illuminated by handwritten documents such as student lists and timetables from the high school era. In the future, these documents could reveal many details about the educational path in the 17th century, making the connection between education and society clear.

Registration can be done by phone at 03443/3396800 or by email info@vhs-burgenlandkreis.de take place. Be there when yesterday's knowledge is presented in living form from September 24th!

Burgenland district reports on the new series of events, further details about the courses are available VHS Burgenlandkreis and offers deeper insights into the history of education Deutschlandfunk.