Oppenhoff. Mohren. Cohn

From the mid-1930s, Aachen was a "gateway to freedom" through which people dared to flee persecution by the Nazi regime - across the green border to Belgium or Holland and from there out into the world. In Aachen, the fugitives found smuggling networks as well as some "silent heroes" who expected nothing in return for their help. Against the backdrop of this historical situation, "Oppenhof. Mohren. Cohn" tells a story of resistance, dissidence, despair and courage. Inspired by the lives of historical figures such as the former mayor of Aachen Franz Oppenhoff, the communist Josef Mohren and the resistance fighter Marianne Cohn, the play deals with the question of whether a young woman on the run can be helped, whether a work of art branded as "degenerate" can be saved from destruction and who shows solidarity with whom. Protest and partisan songs and new songs combine to form an overall musical concept; an exciting storyline is combined with documentary material.

What motivates people to oppose a violent regime and offer resistance? And how does solidarity transcend ideological boundaries and class differences? In times of a global shift to the right, dealing with anti-fascist resistance is highly topical - and looking to the past is necessary and productive. Theater Aachen is therefore tackling this topic with this new play, which also looks at the local history of the city during the Nazi regime. "Oppenhoff. Mohren. Cohn" is a poetic-political reflection on resistance and what made it possible and a contribution to the city's culture of remembrance.

On the occasion of this new production, Theater Aachen is showing an exhibition in the Spiegelfoyer from March 7 to 12 in cooperation with the Gedenkbuchprojekt Aachen e.V., which provides background information on persecuted groups of people during the Nazi era. On display are photos and individual life stories of persecuted and murdered Aacheners. The exhibition can be visited on Friday, March 7, Tuesday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 12 from 11 am to 6 pm, as well as on Saturday, March 8 between 10 am and 2 pm and one hour before the start of each performance. Admission is free.