“AUFRUF!” Imagine those words echoing through Hamburg. They announced the birth of an idea. It was the idea of fostering friendship between Germany and Greece. Right here, perhaps not in this exact building but in spirit, the seeds of the Griechisch/Deutsches Freundschaftshaus were sown.
This is the Griechisch/Deutsches Freundschaftshaus. It stands as a testament to a bond that started long ago. It is a bond strengthened through cultural exchange. It is a bond that we celebrate today.
In 1914, prominent figures in Munich founded the first Deutsch-Griechische Gesellschaft. Among them were architects and professors. They included Byzantinists and former Greek prime ministers. Even Kingin Sophie of Greece supported them. She was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s sister.
These founders saw a need. They needed to nurture the relationship between Germany and Greece. They aimed to promote understanding. They also aimed to support connections between the two cultures.
The Gesellschaft planned to publish a journal called “Hellas”. It would inform Germans about Greece. It would cover Greek history, culture, and economics. The journal would feature prominent Greeks. It would also cover archeological work.
World War I underscored the importance of local organization. In 1918, Helene Fera in Hamburg sought to create a local group. She was later the mother-in-law of a Hamburg citizen representative. Munich welcomed her proposal with enthusiasm. Professor Dr. Paul Wolters wrote a letter. He expressed gratitude and support for the Hamburg initiative. He hoped it would be the first of many.
Dr. Paul Marc also mentioned the Hamburg group in a letter. He noted that it arose from pro-King Constantine propaganda. Some Hamburg figures proposed forming a local branch. They recruited members. By July 4, 1918, the Hamburg group was established.
The Griechisch/Deutsches Freundschaftshaus emerged from these efforts. It provided a place for Greeks and Germans to connect. It was a place for cultural exchange. It became a hub for fostering understanding.
By August 1918, the Hamburg group was actively recruiting members. They planned lectures by experts on Greece. They aimed to facilitate business connections. The group’s office was located on M\u00f6nckebergstra\u00dfe 7.
The society wanted to expand ties between Germans and Greeks. They wanted to strengthen them culturally and economically. They believed Germany needed closer ties with southeastern European nations. Greece, with its cultural and economic influence, was key.
In the 1920s, Hamburg had the largest Greek community in Germany. Many Greek merchants were members of the Deutsch-Griechische Gesellschaft. The 1920s were a golden age for Greeks in Hamburg. New businesses emerged alongside older firms. Banks, shipping companies, and cigarette factories arose.
In 1925, the Gesellschaft had 500 members. They met at the Levante-Bodega. It was a famous Greek restaurant opened in 1923. It was located near the stock exchange.
After the Hamburg University’s founding in 1919, Greek students arrived. By 1922, there were ten. In 1923, Greek student associations held their first congress. They sought cooperation. The Gesellschaft supported Greek students in Hamburg. It later helped establish a Modern Greek department at the university.
Today, the Griechisch/Deutsches Freundschaftshaus stands as a symbol. It symbolizes enduring friendship. It symbolizes cultural exchange. It symbolizes the power of people coming together. It reminds us that understanding and connection can overcome any divide. It all started with that call to action. It started with the “AUFRUF” for friendship.