Pupils explore the history of witch-hunts in Münster

Exhibition in the Gesamtschule Münster-Mitte | cooperation with the Käte Hamburger Kolleg

Three pupils from the Gesamtschule Münster-Mitte have investigated the topic of witch-hunts in Münster. The results of their research project can now be seen in an impressive exhibition. The Käte Hamburger Kolleg provided (legal) historical expertise and also helped with the design of the posters.

For Meike Sobolewski, Mira Kluhs and Ella Faßelt, it was a very special experience to spend six months working intensively on the topic. They came across it thanks to a suggestion from the Arbeitsgruppe Frauengeschichte Münster (Women's History Working Group). "It was important to us that the victims of witch-hunts finally receive the attention they deserve so long after their deaths," said Kluhs at the opening ceremony on Wednesday (10 April). Although Münster was not a centre of witch-hunts, 40 people, mainly women, were put on trial between 1552 and 1644. Julia Börger, the supervising teacher, emphasised that the pupils' results were remarkable and reflected the intensive work process, which she also enjoyed very much. The exhibition is an exceptional result for a “besondere Lernleistung” (special learning achievement) in the Abitur.

The pupils began with extensive research in the Stadtarchiv and an exchange with experts such as Professor Peter Oestmann from the Käte Hamburger Kolleg "Legal Unity and Pluralism" (University of Münster). The legal historian met with the three young researchers several times to discuss the legal aspects of witch hunts. "I am impressed by the motivation and seriousness with which the three of them approached the topic. They had already heard of many things, such as the penal code Constitutio Criminalis Carolina from 1532."

In addition to providing expertise, the Käte Hamburger Kolleg also helped with the professional design of the exhibition posters. Student assistants Marla Kaminsky and Nele Aßmann compiled the content developed by the pupils into eleven large-format posters.

The exhibition deals with legal aspects such as the course of an interrogation as well as the fate of individual women burned as witches, such as Anna Holthaus and Greta Bünichmann. The pupils also carefully trace the discussion surrounding the naming of a street after the latter and thus the city's approach to the topic in terms of remembrance policy.

The exhibition in the foyer of the Oberstufengebäude, Gesamtschule Mitte (Jüdefelderstraße 10) can currently be seen on weekdays until 5.00 pm.

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