"Burnt Places" exhibition

On May 10, 1933, books were burned in numerous German cities. They were considered "un-German" by the National Socialist regime. Today - more than 90 years later - places all over Germany commemorate these acts. But what do these places look like today? And what remains visible of history?

Photographer Jan Schenk explores these questions in his traveling exhibition "Burnt Places", which is currently on display in the Hof public library. The exhibition is a project of the "Gegen das Vergessen e. V." association and is dedicated to the historical places where books were publicly burned in 1933. It shows photographs of these sites as they are today - places where history often only exists in memory. The exhibition is accompanied by burnt works. The selection commemorates authors such as Erich Kästner, Irmgard Keun and Kurt Tucholsky, whose books fell victim to the fire.

The exhibition was organized by the Schwarzenbach association "Gegen das Vergessen e. V.", which is also responsible for the "Langer Gang" memorial. The presentation was supported by the Hof public library, which is thus sending out a strong signal of historical responsibility and cultural remembrance. The exhibition can be seen until June 6, 2025 at the Hof City Library, Wörthstraße 18, during regular opening hours. Admission is free.