Ruth Andreas-Friedrich und Leo Borchard Plaque

Hidden on Hünensteig 6, the Ruth Andreas-Friedrich und Leo Borchard Plaque whispers stories of courage and resilience. This plaque commemorates two individuals who dared to defy the Nazi regime right here in Berlin. Ruth Andreas-Friedrich, a writer, and Leo Borchard, a conductor, lived at this address. They became central figures in the resistance group known as “Uncle Emil.” Starting in 1938, from this very building, they orchestrated a network of support for those persecuted by the Nazis. Ruth Andreas-Friedrich und Leo Borchard Plaque represents more than just a physical marker. It symbolizes the bravery of those who risked their lives to help others. “Uncle Emil” provided shelter, forged documents, and essential supplies to those in hiding. They even painted anti-Nazi slogans on walls, a bold act of defiance in a city suffocating under oppression. Leo Borchard’s story takes a tragic turn. After surviving the war and becoming the first conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic after the Nazi regime fell, he was tragically shot and killed at a checkpoint. His death, a senseless act of violence, underscores the turbulent times following the war. Ruth continued her work after the war. She documented her experiences in a diary, which later became the foundation for her books “Der Schattenmann” (The Shadow Man) and “Schauplatz Berlin” (Berlin Story). These works provide invaluable insights into the daily lives of Berliners during and after the war. They offer a glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit amid unimaginable hardship. The Ruth Andreas-Friedrich und Leo Borchard Plaque serves as a powerful reminder. It reminds us of the importance of resistance, compassion, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of tyranny.