Dark chapters: Lecture on the Gotha court calendar in Friedenstein Castle

Dark chapters: Lecture on the Gotha court calendar in Friedenstein Castle

On Wednesday, September 24th, those interested in history and culture can look forward to an exciting lecture as part of the Gotha Research Library's annual exhibition. At 6:15 p.m. in the Hall of Mirrors at Friedenstein Castle, speaker Hannah Boeddeker from the University of Hamburg will talk about a little-researched chapter of German history. Her topic: “Between economics and ideology: Perthes Verlag and the emergence of a nobility register 1918–1925”.

The focus of the event is the development and significance of the Gotha “Court Calendar”, which has been published annually since the 19th century as an important directory of the German nobility. After the adoption of the Weimar Constitution in 1918, which abolished aristocratic privileges, this publication underwent a fundamental transformation. In the 1920s and 1930s, the court calendar transformed into a nobility register with racist and biological connotations, which reflected the radicalization of the nobility and was shaped by the economic and ideological motivations of the Perthes publishing house. All interested parties are warmly invited, entry is free.

A dark chapter in history

The lecture is not only limited to academic audiences, but also offers the general public access to a topic that illuminates many facets of social life in the early 20th century. These developments are significant in light of the fact that historical knowledge is more in demand than ever in a contemporary context characterized by increasing anti-Semitic tendencies in Germany. According to ballardbrief.byu.edu, anti-Semitism has been on the rise in Germany since reunification in the 1990s. Hostility to Jews is not only expressed in words, but also manifests itself in violence and conspiracy theories against Jewish people.

What is particularly frightening is the uncertainty within the Jewish community, which feels threatened by increased attacks and vandalism. The statistics show a worrying increase in anti-Semitic crimes, rising from 1,268 in 2010 to 3,028 in 2021. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Holocaust education programs designed to counter anti-Semitic prejudice.

Anti-Semitism in a historical context

To understand the current anti-Semitic mood in the country, it is worth taking a look at history. As [bpb.de](https://www.bpb.de/themen/antisemitismus/dossier-antisemitismus/37948/antisemitismus-im-19-und-20-jahr Jahrhundert/) explains, anti-Semitism was religiously motivated until the 19th century. However, from the late 19th century onwards, “racial anti-Semitism” emerged, which was based on pseudo-scientific theories and aimed at the exclusion and extermination of the Jewish population. The term “anti-Semitism” was coined by Wilhelm Marr in 1879 and was associated with the debate about the emancipation of Jews in Germany.

In the most turbulent times, such as during and after the First World War, anti-Semitic clichés and prejudices were fueled, which reached their extreme climax during the Nazi era. The effects of these ideologies shape today's social climate and the perception of Jewish people in Germany, as they are often associated with crime and terrorism.

The upcoming event is not only a historical review, but also a reminder to actively engage with history in order to better meet the challenges of the present. Feel invited to learn more about the complex relationship between nobility, economics and anti-Semitism and to participate in this important discussion.