Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium

Can you see the large brick elephant standing in front of the school? It’s the symbol of the Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium, the only continuously bilingual school in Bremen, meaning classes run from fifth to twelfth grade. The elephant is a reminder of the school’s complex past. In 1931, it was built as a colonial memorial honoring German soldiers who died in the colonial wars in Africa. After the Second World War, it became an anti-colonial monument, serving as a symbol of the suffering inflicted on the people of Africa by German colonialism. This fascinating shift in symbolism reflects the dramatic changes the Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium witnessed since its founding in 1905. The name has changed several times: It initially was named Realgymnasium, then changed to Oberschule für Jungen. After World War II, the school was named after Hermann Böse, a remarkable music teacher who also served as the commissioner for education in the short-lived Socialist Republic of Bremen in 1919. The school, though, was not named after him immediately. They only added the name Hermann Böse to the street, not the school. The current name, Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium, was only adopted in 2005, marking the school’s 100-year anniversary. The school’s history is full of interesting events and people. Hermann Böse was a strong supporter of social justice and was passionate about music. He built an impressive orchestra that became a pillar of German school music in the 1920s. He faced a difficult time under the Nazi regime. Due to his communist affiliation, his pension was cut, and he was imprisoned in 1942. He was released in 1943 but suffered from illness and died two days later. The school honors his legacy by keeping his portrait, along with the dates of his time there, in the foyer. You can also find a Stolperstein (stumbling stone) in front of the school, a small brass plaque embedded in the pavement honoring Hermann Böse as a victim of Nazi persecution. The history of the Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium is not just one of school buildings and changing names, but a story of resilience, adaptation, and an ongoing commitment to education and social justice.