Exploration of a city's past unveiled in latest publication
Unveiling the Vibrant Past: Pforzheim's Urban History Vol. 7
This captivating piece of work was unveiled on Tuesday, showering insights on Pforzheim's rich history. Gracing the event were the city's Culture Mayor, Tobias Volle, head honcho at the Cultural Office, Angelika Drescher, and the Director of City Archives, Dr. Klara Deecke, alongside her Deputy Director, Dr. Sonja Hillerich. Volle expressed, "As a newbie to Pforzheim, I find this series utterly mesmerizing. I'm floored to witness its steady expansion."
Volume seven of this series offers eight enlightening perspectives on Pforzheim's history. A significant aspect stressed in this volume is the understanding of urban memory culture from a historical viewpoint. Dr. Fritz Nagel deciphers the birthplace origin story of Johannes Reuchlin, a notable humanist, in Pforzheim, as described in his groundbreaking 1494 work, "De verbo mirifico." Two of the contributions revolve around the legendary heroic demise of the 400 Pforzheimers in the Battle of Wimpfen during the Thirty Years' War. These accounts were commemorated in 2022 for the 400th time. Prof. Dr. Achim Aurnhammer and Dr. Harald Merklin pinpoint an unknown neo-Latin panegyric on the heroic Pforzheimer group, penned by Carl Philipp Friedrich Kurrer in 1788, and enrich the book with a commentated new edition of the first print of this elegy, including a German translation. Dr. Klara Deecke delves into the interpretation and significance of the 400 Pforzheimers in the urban memory culture, spanning from the end of the 18th century to the mid-20th century.
Dr. Christoph Timm contributes an extensive essay focusing on Pforzheim's tourism history, serving as a bridge to the contemporary historical essays in the volume, which emphasize the 20th century. Sabine Herrle delves into the history of the Pforzheim family Kuppenheim before, during, and after the Nazi era, based on presentations at the city of Pforzheim's events during the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism in 2021 and 2023. Rüdiger Staub discusses the rebuilding of Pforzheim in the post-WWII years from an urban planning angle. Kevin Konnerth investigates the history of the city partnership between Pforzheim and Gernika and its role in German-Spanish reconciliation. The final chapter is the annual report of the city's monument conservator Stephanie Toussaint for the years 2019 to 2022.
Lush illustrations throughout the book were made possible due to the generous donation from the Pforzheim City Archives Support Association e.V. Drescher added, "The dedication reflected in this book is a testament to the relentless work of the authors, editors, and publisher. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success."
The "New Contributions to Pforzheim's Urban History" series appears irregularly, approximately every four years. The current volume's editors are Dr. Klara Deecke and Dr. Sonja Hillerich. The hardcover edition boasts 400 pages and over 160 color and black-and-white illustrations, retailing at 24.80 euros and available in bookstores.
This captivating series, titled "New Contributions to Pforzheim's Urban History," has been expanded to include a new volume, delving into various aspects of Pforzheim's rich history. The home-and-garden section of this volume might showcase the evolution and transformation of Pforzheim's historic buildings and properties, providing insights into the city's lifestyle over the centuries.
The meticulous layout of the seventh volume, complete with over 160 color and black-and-white illustrations, promises a visually appealing journey through Pforzheim's history, making it an ideal addition to any home-and-garden or history enthusiast's bookshelf.
