Bavarian-Bohemian encounters: An evening full of history in Waldmünchen!

Bavarian-Bohemian encounters: An evening full of history in Waldmünchen!

An exciting event is coming up: on Sunday, November 9th, the Catholic adult education in the Cham district to the “Bavarian-Bohemian Encounters” event. From 6 p.m., visitors to the Bürgertreff at Böhmertor in Waldmünchen can delve deep into the cultural and historical connection between Bavaria and Bohemia with the photographer and author Herbert Pöhnl.

Pöhnl, who grew up on the Iron Curtain, is not only an accomplished photographer, but also a passionate expert on the region. In his lecture he will present the Bavarian-Bohemian neighborhood as a space of knowledge and experiences. With a view to history and the present, he would like to give listeners an understanding of the diversity and deep interconnections between the two regions.

Insights into the Bavarian-Bohemian adjustment screw

But the event goes beyond the lecture. The recently published publication “One moment please! Or two?: Encounters across the Bavarian-Bohemian border” is of great importance. Written by Johannes M. Haslinger, Herbert Pöhnl and Bernhard Setzwein, this work offers a comprehensive look at the changes in the eastern Bavarian border area since the fall of 1989.

Using a mixture of photography and literary reportage, the book addresses life in the region. Interviews with private individuals, cultural initiatives and representatives from business paint a vivid picture of everyday life and the stories of the local people. It also serves as a companion volume to exhibitions that took place in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic from 2016 to 2018 and is available in bookstores and online for 22 euros.

Historical connections and cultural influences

The history between Bavaria and Bohemia goes back a long time and is not least influenced by the Bavarian State Exhibition 2007 in Zwiesel thematised. This exhibition shows how the regions have been linked historically and what cultural influences there were. Archaeological finds show common settlement areas and cultural trends that go back to the time of Emperor Charles IV and Saints Wenceslas and Wolfgang.

A particularly impressive aspect of this relationship is the legacy of trade between Prague and Bavarian cities such as Regensburg. This ensured a lively exchange, which was reflected not only in common marriages between noble families, but also in art history, for example through the importance of the Bohemian-Old Bavarian-Franconian culture in the Baroque period.

However, the challenges and upheavals of history, including the Munich Agreement of 1938 and the subsequent expulsions after the Second World War, have strained relations between Bavaria and Bohemia. Nevertheless, a close exchange has developed since 1989. Herb Pöhnl's lecture on November 9th will certainly aim to reflect on this complex past and reaffirm the hope for a common future in Europe.

The event promises to be not only informative but also inspiring - an opportunity to rediscover the rich culture and history of the Bavarian-Bohemian connection.