Diakoniezentrum in Güstrow: Folker Hachtmann is honored!

Diakoniezentrum in Güstrow: Folker Hachtmann is honored!

The Diakonie conference center in Güstrow is now called “Folker Hachtmann”. With this naming, Diakonie Güstrow honors the remarkable work of the Protestant theologian, who served as pastor at Güstrow Cathedral from 1986 to 1998. The naming ceremony, which brought together many guests, including Hachtmann's family members, was a highlight for the local community, which highly appreciates Hachtmann's commitment and his many achievements in diakonia and assistance for the disabled. In his role as the first chairman of the disability assistance organization in the Güstrow church district, which was founded in 1992, he initiated decisive changes in the region. Christoph Kupke, board member of Diakonie Güstrow, emphasizes Hachtmann's influence and his ability to always focus on people's needs.

The emotions were palpable as Hachtmann's widow, Eva Hachtmann, expressed her emotion at the naming. Mayor Sascha Zimmermann also made sure to remind people of Hachtmann's deeply human self-image in his speech: listen, reach out, just be there. This motto continues to shape the work of Diakonie, and many of those present were moved by the spirit of community that Hachtmann has always promoted.

Honorary citizen and symbolic figure

Folker Hachtmann was celebrated not only for his church and diaconal commitment, but also for his important role in coming to terms with the Jewish history of Güstrow. His commitment to the culture of remembrance is tireless. He was a co-founder of the circle of friends for the preservation of the former Jewish community center, which he transformed from a dilapidated ruin into a place of meeting and remembrance. In 2017, Hachtmann was posthumously made an honorary citizen of the city of Güstrow by the city council, which underlines the appreciation of his services Church MV reported.

The former community center has developed into a central location for literary, musical and historical events. The association that Hachtmann founded also organizes days of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi regime, and the stumbling blocks he laid are a visible sign of his commitment to the Jewish community and against forgetting.

A tireless agent of understanding

Hachtmann was always a competent and sensitive conversation partner when it came to promoting interreligious dialogue between Christians and Jews. He held regular devotions for the Decade of Peace at the Jewish cemetery and taught students the value of living with history and not letting it be forgotten. His commitment, which was characterized by contact with contemporary witnesses and the maintenance of memorials, left a lasting impression on the city.

The celebrations marking the naming of the Diakonie Center are a sign of recognition for Folker Hachtmann's life's work, which goes far beyond the boundaries of the church. His great-granddaughters, Elena-Sarah and Eva-Sophia Menzel, as well as granddaughter Therese Menzel, contributed musically to the celebration and created a touching atmosphere that once again reminds us of the honorary citizen's legacy Northern Courier. In Güstrow, his name remains closely linked to charity, a culture of remembrance and peaceful coexistence.