Hanna Krause's moving life: heroine in stormy times

Hanna Krause's moving life: heroine in stormy times

Weimar, Deutschland - in Magdeburg beats a heart that breathes history: Annett Gröschner has created an impressive portrait of the protagonist Hanna Krause with her new novel "Floating Loads". This flower binder later tried to be a crane guide and experienced the dramatic upheavals of the 20th century up close. In her work, Gröschner not only illuminates the challenges of survival in the war, but also the difficulties in the area of ​​tension between different political systems and personal fates.

Hanna Krause lived through two revolutions, survived two dictatorships, witnessed an uprising and was witness to the horrors of two world wars. Each of these events left deep traces in their life. In the author's words: "They are stories of invisible women in eastern Germany, who are often in the shadow of great events." The daily struggle for integrity that many women of that time shared reflects their life motto.

a life between the worlds

The heroine of Gröschner's novel is not only a product of her time, but also a representative of one: Hanna lived and fought in two democracies and under an emperor, found himself in a heavy machine construction in Magdeburg after the end of her flower shop. From there, she watched the relationships between people around them and the upheavals that shape society. Her heart, which she never let go, was her six children, two of whom she could not bury two - a burden that she was wearing until her end of life.

she experiences not only the end of the industrial age, but also the upheavals that shaped the life of women during this time. Gröschner uses special linguistic means. Words such as "Gallop changer" and "Filzschlappenoper" give the book a unique sound and underline the peculiarities of time and society.

women's movement in focus

In the context of the history of women's movements in the 20th century, it becomes clear that many realities of life such as those of Hanna Krause are still inadequate. Medial presence, which last took place on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the German women's election law, cannot hide the fact that there is a lack of comprehensive work and comparison between East and West German perspectives. Kirsten Heinsohn, who spoke at the last conference on this topic, emphasized how important it is to give new impulses and to understand the history of women movement as part of social and contemporary history.

The challenges with which women were faced with the 20th century are diverse and deserve a critical argument. Imke Schmincke clarified how the politicization of private and body policy shaped the third wave of the women's movement. In view of the new forms of action, such as Slutwalks and network feminism, it becomes clear that today's wave of feminism is also complex and dynamic.

The question remains: How is the memory of women like Hanna Krause continued? How can your story, which was in the shadow of the big stories, come to light? Here we are all responsible for making an activating contribution and creating space for the voices of invisible women.