A special part of the region's history

Niklas Linke, who supervised the project topic, tells us what the "Red Hand" celebration society is all about in an interview with UBTaktuell.

UBTaktuell: Mr Linke, you chose the topic "Red Hand" in a project for your Master's degree "History in Science and Practice". What exactly is the "Red Hand"?

Niklas Linke: The "Red Hand" was a secret party society in Thurnau in the 1950s to 1970s. Access was only granted by invitation from existing members. This party society was founded by Alfred Frankl and Curt Vogt. Frankl was an important photographer in the Weimar Republic and later settled in Thurnau.

How did you come to this project topic?

Through my interest in regional history and through consultation with Dr. Marcus Mühlnikel, who drew my attention to the topic and asked me if I would like to support him with this topic.

How did you proceed with the reappraisal?

Communication with contemporary witnesses was particularly important for the reappraisal. They give us insights into the time from a perspective that is difficult for us to reach.

Did you come to any conclusions in the process?

In any case, you see the time from a completely different perspective. The need of some people of the time to "celebrate with class", as the founders of the Red Hand described it, is something that you only really understand when you have dealt with the subject.

What is the significance of the "Red Hand" for the region?

During its active time, the Red Hand had attracted artists and party-loving people not only from Thurnau, but from the whole region, for example also from Bamberg and Bayreuth. For the region, the existence of this celebration society was quite important.

If you want to take a closer look at this celebration society, how can you do so?

From 15 October, the special exhibition on the Red Hand starts in the Thurnau Pottery Museum, where you can definitely learn the most important things about the subject.