Dark chapter: Exhibition in Erlangen commemorates the double murder of 1979

Dark chapter: Exhibition in Erlangen commemorates the double murder of 1979

A special exhibition is currently being shown in the small town of Erlangen, which focuses on the tragic events of a right-wing extremist double murder almost 45 years ago. The murder of Shlomo Lewin and his partner Frida Poeschke remains a dark chapter in German history to this day. Loud nn.de This exhibition not only remembers the victims, but also critically addresses the gaps in the investigative work.

The exhibition is housed in an empty shop in Erlangen and was organized by the Erlangen City Museum. Brigitte Korn, who heads the city museum, is largely responsible for the content. The presentation deals with the investigations at the time, which left many questions unanswered and shook trust in the security authorities.

Insight into the past

The dramatic circumstances surrounding the murder of Lewin and Poeschke cast a long shadow over the city and society. During the exhibition it will be shown why the case was never fully solved. These topics are particularly relevant given the current developments in the area of ​​right-wing extremism, as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has already reported. In 2024 there were loud noises verfassungsschutz.de 37,835 right-wing extremist crimes were registered – an increase of 47.4% compared to the previous year.

In the new presentation, not only the memories of the victims are central, but also the warnings that can be derived from the past. It is an appeal not to resign ourselves to history, but to actively work towards a better society. The number of violent right-wing extremists has now risen to around 15,300 people, which represents a serious problem.

A look into the present

There is growing concern in society that right-wing extremist ideologies are once again popular. This makes it all the more important to deal with the past and learn lessons from it. The exhibition in Erlangen offers an important space for discussion and reflection, because, as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution states, xenophobic acts of violence increased by 5.4% in 2024. With 983 cases registered, it is clear that the problems are by no means stuck in the past.

With this format, the Erlangen City Museum makes a valuable contribution to enlightenment and the culture of remembrance. The location of the exhibition, an empty shop, becomes a symbolic space for dealing with right-wing extremism and its consequences. The exhibition is visited not only by historians, but also by the general public who want to actively inform themselves about this dark period in German history.

For further information about the exhibition and to contact us, please call the city museum on +49 (0) 9131 86-2408. At a time when the past is often repressed or forgotten, this exhibition is a step in the right direction. Because history can only stay alive if we actively preserve it.