“A stele of quiet dignity stands before us. This is the Kurt Kersten Gedenkstein. It commemorates a life lived with unwavering courage and intellectual passion. A life dedicated to fighting against injustice. A life that spanned tumultuous times.
Kurt Kersten was born in Wehlheiden near Kassel in 1891. His family were farmers. They owned a large farm. The farm had been in the family for over 400 years. He was a man of many talents. He was a historian a writer a publicist and a journalist.
His academic journey took him to Munich and Berlin. There he pursued history and German philology. He earned his doctorate magna cum laude. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Voltaire’s Henriade in German criticism before Lessing. Even as a student he published articles in the magazine Pan. Alfred Kerr was the editor. A close friendship developed between them. It lasted until both men emigrated.
World War I interrupted his burgeoning career. He fought in Russia and France. He participated in the Battle of Cambrai. This was the first tank battle. He was seriously wounded near Amiens. He received the Iron Cross First and Second Class. The horrors of war deepened his pacifist beliefs.
The interwar period found him in Berlin. He produced a vast body of work. His writings were socially engaged. He focused on the progressive and democratic heritage of Germany. He also explored the Soviet Union. He traveled there repeatedly.
His anti-militarist stance made him a target of the Nazis. His name appeared on the list of books to be burned in 1933. Under increasing pressure and Gestapo surveillance he went into exile. He lived in Prague and Paris. He wrote for leading exile magazines. He contributed to Internationale Literatur and Das Wort.
His escape took an unexpected turn. He ended up on the Caribbean island of Martinique. The island was under the control of Vichy France. He was considered an undesirable alien. Despite the efforts of his American friends his immigration to the US was blocked. He remained on Martinique enduring hardship and danger.
In 1946 a frail and undernourished Kurt Kersten finally arrived in the United States. He was reunited with his wife Martha David. They married that year. In New York he became editor of the Aufbau. This was a weekly newspaper for German-Jewish immigrants. He worked there until his death in 1962.
His ashes were returned to Wehlheiden. He was buried according to his wishes. His resting place is an honorary grave of the city of Kassel. He was honored as an enemy of German militarism.
The Kurt Kersten Gedenkstein stands not just as a memorial. It serves as a testament to a life of principle. A life dedicated to truth justice and peace. A life worthy of our remembrance. Let us reflect on his legacy. Let us honor his unwavering commitment to freedom.”