Day of memories at Hof main station

To mark the arrival of the Prague trains 35 years ago, various events were held in the Königssaal at Hof Central Station on October 1, bringing contemporary history to life.

The commemorative programme got off to a symbolic start at 6:14 a.m. with a breakfast attended by contemporary witnesses, protagonists and those involved in the aid organizations of the time: Caritas, Red Cross, fire department, police and administration. Over breakfast, the guests reminisced about a time that many of them described as "indescribable".

Mayor Eva Döhla welcomed the guests personally and shared her own memories of October 1, 1989: "6:14 a.m.! Today we look at the clock! I'm sure none of you consciously looked at the clock in 1989! You all actively helped, sparing neither time nor effort to lend a hand on what was probably one of the most spectacular days in Hof's history."

The report by contemporary witness Hans-Joachim Weber, who worked at the Foreign Office at the time and was sent to the German Embassy in Prague, was particularly moving. There he witnessed the occupation of the embassy by people seeking refuge from the GDR. When permission to leave for the Federal Republic of Germany was granted on September 30, 1989, Weber was on the first train to Hof. With great emotion, he described the chaotic but also warm scenes surrounding the arrival of the first GDR refugees at Hof main station. "It was indescribable," Weber said several times, recalling how people often fled with just a plastic bag in their hands. The aid organizations did a great job at the time to welcome and support the refugees in Hof. "I will never forget the warmth that was shown to us," said Hans-Joachim Weber.

Markus Rindt also reported on his experiences on October 1. He fled to the Prague embassy with his girlfriend at the time. He had already had thoughts of fleeing as a child, which he put into practice that day in 1989. Rindt was on the second train that arrived in Hof. He also reported on the great willingness of the people of Hof to help: "People hugged us, gave us flowers and provided us with food and drink. It was overwhelming how we were welcomed here. I will never forget that."

In 1989, Hof's main train station became the center of world events overnight, making it a historically relevant location.

For this reason, the main station was honored by the Foundation Places of German Democratic History. Dr. Kai-Michael Sprenger, Director of the Foundation, and Marianne Schieder, Member of the Bundestag, jointly presented the plaque to the city of Hof and Deutsche Bahn. Hof Central Station is the first station in Germany to receive this plaque and thus joins the ranks of a large number of sites commemorating the history of democracy. The events, people and processes associated with these places are to be made visible to the general public as positive points of reference for contemporary democracy education. MP Marianne Schieder emphasized in her speech that democracy is not a state, but an ongoing process that requires attitude, courage and prudence.

After breakfast, the film "Train to Freedom" was shown, followed by a discussion. Pupils from Schiller-Gymnasium attended the film screening and had the opportunity to talk to Hans-Joachim Weber and Markus Rindt in person.

The official reception of the city of Hof took place at 3 pm. In addition to invited representatives of the aid organizations and guests from politics, administration and business, Hof residents were also among the guests. Before being welcomed by Lord Mayor Eva Döhla, those present heard the historic half-sentence by the then Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, with which he announced to the people waiting in the garden of Palais Lobkowicz that their departure to the Federal Republic of Germany had become possible.

"That was the starting signal for Hof. Thirty-five years ago, we were at the center of world events when the trains from Prague arrived here and released thousands of people into freedom. This moment is not just a chapter in world history, but a very formative part of our identity as a city. The memories of this time are of great importance to us, because they show how Hof, as a formative place for unity and humanity, has built a bridge to freedom. It is our task to preserve and cultivate these memories in order to pass on the value of freedom and democracy to future generations," says Eva Döhla.

Juliane Seifert, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland, Dr Ivana Červenková, Consul General of the Czech Republic, and Prof. Thomas Popp, State Secretary for Digital Administration and Administrative Modernization of the Free State of Saxony, also emphasized the relevance of the events of 1989/90 for today's society in their speeches.

The day was concluded with a humorous reading by the well-known Czech author, screenwriter, playwright and musician Jaroslav Rudiš. He read from his two works "Instructions for Train Travel" and "Christmas in Prague".

Jürgen Stader, project manager and organizer of the "Day of Memories" emphasized: "1 October 1989 and the following days of the opening of the border are historically and emotionally formative for the city's recent history. The significance of the city of Hof for thousands of people is associated with many positive experiences. This should also make us proud and happy."