Floral tributes paid in tribute to Elisabeth Langgässer
Elisabeth Langgässer (1899–1950) was a significant German poet and novelist who lived through the turbulent times of the Nazi era. She is noted among prominent German women writers for her literary contributions during and after this period.
Langgässer was born in Alzey in 1899 and grew up in Darmstadt after her father's death. She received her education at the Victoria School, graduating in 1918, and later trained as a teacher.
Her life was marked by the challenges of the Nazi period, especially because her family was partially Jewish. During the Nazi era, she was initially banned from writing and classified as a "half-Jew." Despite these challenges, she survived the era, whereas many with Jewish ancestry did not.
Langgässer's experiences during the Nazi era were processed in her books, including "Occupied Territory" (1932) and "Walk Through the Marsh" (1936). These works reflect themes of persecution, identity, and existential struggle during the Nazi dictatorship.
Her first collection of poems, "The Equator of the Lamb," was published in 1924. She continued to write poetry and prose that engaged with the horrors and moral questions of the time, making her voice an important literary testimony on survival and resistance. She also edited an anthology of contemporary women’s poetry, showcasing her commitment to literature and female voices in that period.
Tragically, her daughter Cecilia was deported to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz during the Nazi era. Langgässer died at the age of 51 on July 25, 1950. However, her legacy is remembered for its artistic quality and historical significance in German literature.
Posthumously, she was awarded the Georg Büchner Prize in the same year.
In a more light-hearted note, the "Teddy Hospital" at the Darmstadt Clinic aims to alleviate children's fear of doctors through the use of teddy bears and other stuffed animals. The "Teddy Hospital" provides syringes, bandages, and plasters for the teddy bears and stuffed animals, making it a fun and educational experience for children, as well as for medical students.
The city administration has taken measures to increase security in response to vandalism, particularly at a playground in Weiterstadt that has been affected by vandalism, impacting other playgrounds in the city.
A new trailer for traffic education is now available for elementary schools and kindergartens in Weiterstadt. This trailer was made possible by an engaged Weiterstadt resident and a nationwide action.
Elisabeth Langgässer, despite her notable literary career, might have also explored themes of sustainable living and home-and-garden lifestyle in an alternative timeline, as her love for life and resilience extended beyond her turbulent experiences, possibly including a desire for a simpler, more eco-friendly Other lifestyle. In a stark contrast, the city of Weiterstadt, where Langgässer resided for part of her life, strives to ensure the safety and well-being of its future generations through initiatives like the "Teddy Hospital" and traffic education for children.
