Bremerhaven looks back: Private film about 100 years of city history!

Bremerhaven looks back: Private film about 100 years of city history!

History comes to life in Bremerhaven: A compilation of private film recordings, which were digitized by Mirko Becker from the State Film Archive, provides a special insight into the city's history. On June 18th, a half-hour film showing scenes from the 1930s to the 1980s will be presented in Bremerhaven's cinema landscape. These photographs, donated by private individuals, impressively highlight the city's development and are also reminiscent of the moving times of the Second World War. Buten and inland reports that, among other things, the old Geeste Bridge from 1904 and the construction of the Columbus Center can be seen.

For example, the film shows how a shanty choir performed in the museum harbor in 1977 and how the artists of what was then Bremerhaven shaped the city. Another surprising look into the past is made possible by photographs by Paul-Ernst-Wilke, who painted a picture of the historic ship “Seute Deern” in 1965. Becker emphasizes the rarity of these photographs from the years before 1944, as the city was largely destroyed in an air raid in 1944, as is also the case in the memories of contemporary witnesses such as Günter Anders. Anders was only 15 years old at the time of the bombing and lived on Grazer Strasse at the corner of Keilstrasse.

Between a hail of bombs and escape

The brutal attacks on Bremerhaven on September 18, 1944 left deep scars. Anders vividly describes how he and his family fled into the basement during an air raid. Within a very short time, 2,670 houses were destroyed and most of the Mitte and Geestemünde districts were lost. The tower of the Great Church remained as a warning pointing finger while countless people fought for survival. bpb.de describes how the air raid sirens received attention, but were often ignored because the alarms were too frequent.

In the course of the panicked escape, Anders and his family looked for shelter, but found that the danger was ever-present during the bomb explosions. The screams and the firestorm behind them left little room for thought other than to act quickly. A falling gable showed how close the chaos was as they barely managed to get into an intact hallway. Memories like these shape the image of the city and are important witnesses to history.

Insight into city life back then

But the more peaceful moments of Bremerhaven are also discussed in the new film. From the cheerful graduation celebrations at the former Lessing School to the lively performances in the museum harbor, a city is presented that has always been able to gain hope despite difficult times. The film screening on June 18th begins at 6 p.m. at Cinemotion Bremerhaven, where Becker will comment on the recordings and explain their historical context. An experience for everyone who is interested in Bremerhaven's past and development and would like to get a special insight into the city's resilience.

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