Eberts Erbe: Discover the Weimar Republic in Heidelberg!

Eberts Erbe: Discover the Weimar Republic in Heidelberg!

On Sunday, July 6, 2025, the Friedrich Ebert-Haus in Heidelberg invites you to an exciting public tour through the special exhibition "Eberts Erbe-A Democracy with Perspectives". This event begins at 3 p.m. and offers everyone interested the opportunity to take part in without registration. Admission is free and the lead promises to be deeper insight into the political landscape of Germany after the death of Friedrich Ebert.

Friedrich Ebert played a crucial role in the history of the Weimar Republic, and his work still has relevance today. He died on February 28, 1925 and left a stable country with a promising future. But his death was a cut in Germany's history, which influenced the development of democracy in a variety of ways. The Foundation Reich President Friedrich-Ebert-Memorstätte organizes this exhibition, which is under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and will be shown from March 2 to November 23, 2025.

The topics of leadership

What can visitors expect? The leadership illuminates central topics such as political and social upheavals in the period after Ebert's death. The reorientation of the Social Democratic Party, the foreign policy course that led to the Locarno conference, as well as Paul von Hindenburg's election as the President of the Reich are the focus. The economic challenges of the Weimar Republic and the cultural heyday of this era are also treated.

Friedrich Eber's political vision included the striving for a broad identification of citizens with the new democracy. Despite the challenges in front of which the Republic faced, Ebert always tried to create a mental foundation from democratic traditions. The reflection on the so-called "Spirit of Weimar" and its initiatives to promote consciousness for democracy are also an important part of the exhibition, as well as the examination of the critical perception of his person by contemporaries ([[Friedrich Ebert Foundation] (https://www.friedrich-ebert.de/friedrich-ebertde/weimarer republic).

hidden facets of the Weimar Republic

The exhibition not only addresses Eberts achievements, but also illuminates the difficulties associated with the establishment of the Weimar Republic. Criticism from different sides - be it from the radical left, which Ebert saw as the "Hampelmann of the Great Industrialist", or by critics like Kurt Tucholsky, who insulted him as "chief bureaucrats" - are not excluded here. Nevertheless, Ebert acquired general respect in the middle of society and always wanted to be president of all Germans.

The "swimming trunks photo" by Ebert and Reichswehr Minister Gustav Noske, which was created during the swearing-in of the new Reich constitution, is an example of how Eber's political opponents try to discredit him and democracy in Germany. This facet shows how the political argument was at the time and what challenges Ebert was opposed.

Take the opportunity to learn more about Friedrich Ebert's political heritage and take a look at the challenges and achievements of the Weimar Republic. The public leadership is an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the history of democracy in Germany and to understand Eber's political legacy.