Nora Hespers | „My grandpa, his resistance against the Nazis and me“

Nora Hespers grew up with many stories about her grandfather: the resistance fighter Theo Hespers, who was hunted down and executed by the Nazis. Her father tells them at every opportunity. Over and over again. So often that the teenage Nora eventually switches off. Years later, Nora Hespers is now working as a freelance journalist for radio and TV and is confronted with her grandfather again. And at a time when the liberal democratic values he fought and died for are under threat like never before. For Nora Hespers, it is the starting point for coming to terms with her grandfather’s story. But what can we learn from the resistance back then for today?

Nora Hespers was born in Mönchengladbach in 1978. She works as a freelance journalist for WDR, ARD and Deutschlandfunk Nova. She has covered football World Cups and European Championships and is always interested in socio-political issues. She has been bringing her grandfather’s story to life with her blog and podcast series „Die Anachronistin“ since 2014.

The book was published by Suhrkamp Verlag in 2021 and can be purchased online here or directly at the event.

Moderation: Magdalena Köhler

An event organised by the Fritz Bauer Forum in cooperation with Bochum City Library.

As part of the event series: www.literaturtage-demokratie.de
Series partner: Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie e. V. – Mittleres Ruhrgebiet

Note: Jennifer Haas (research associate at the Fritz Bauer Forum) is offering a book club on Monday, 27 May 2024 from 5.00-6.30 p.m. to discuss the book in more detail. Participation in the book club is also possible without attending the event with Nora Hespers. You can find all further information here: https://shop.fritz-bauer-forum.de/produkt/buchclub-in-der-fritz-bauer-bibliothek/

Photo: © Annette Etges