Exhibition "Unheard - the history of women"

Women, flight and integration: until September 21, 2025 at the Museum Bayerisches Vogtland.

Auf dem Bild sind sechs Frauen und ein Mann zu sehen, die vor einem Rednerpult stehen und Rosen in den Händen halten. — Foto (Stadt Hof): ( von links) Patricia Erkenberg vom Haus des Deutschen Ostens, Miriam Rautenberg, Leitung Museum Bayerisches Vogtland, Angela Bier, Bürgermeisterin, Dr. Petra Loibl, Beauftragte der Bayerischen Staatsregierung, Eva Döhla, Oberbürgermeisterin, Jutta Starosta, Bund der Vertriebenen – Kreisverband Hof, Christian Joachim, Vorsitzender des Hofer Kreisverbandes des Bundes der Vertriebenen

On May 15, the exhibition "Unheard - the story of women. Flight, Expulsion and Integration" was opened. The traveling exhibition, which was conceived by the Haus des Deutschen Ostens in Munich in 2023, is dedicated to an often neglected aspect of German post-war history: the experiences of women on the run and during integration.

The city of Hof was officially represented by Mayor Angela Bier, who took over the welcoming address. Mayor Eva Döhla was able to attend the opening at short notice. The patron is Dr. Petra Loibl, representative of the Bavarian State Government, who travelled to Hof especially for the opening and emphasized how important it is to understand listening and remembering as a social task.

The initiative for the presentation in Hof came from the Hof District Association of Expellees. In a very personal speech, its chairman Joachim Herr described his family's story of flight and paid particular tribute to the strength of his mother.

Patricia Erkenberg from the Haus des Deutschen Ostens gave an introduction to the contents of the exhibition and referred to specific historical backgrounds. She recalled that women in Germany still needed their husband's permission to work until the 1970s. Museum director Miriam Rautenberg led through the evening in her new role and presented all participants with a flower at the end as a token of thanks.

The "Unheard" exhibition can be seen at the Museum Bayerisches Vogtland, Ludwigstraße 21, 95028 Hof until September 21, 2025. It invites visitors to explore the voices and lives of women who have been shaped by flight, loss and new beginnings - and whose experiences continue to have an impact today.