Joachim Herrmann (artist)

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Joachim Herrmann (born November 5, 1930 ; † October 28, 2016 in Helfta ) was a German painter , archaeologist and former art teacher in Hettstedt and Helfta ( Saxony-Anhalt ).

He became known for his initiatives to preserve the Ottonian royal palace of Helfta and the former Helfta monastery with its Romanesque church from 1258. The monastery complex had been declared a state-owned property (VEG) by the GDR authorities , fell into disrepair and was supposed to be used as a warehouse To be blown up in 1988. Herrmann was able to convince those responsible of the historical, cultural and religious significance of the buildings still standing and prevent the demolition. The area was finally transferred to his responsibility.

Revitalization of the Helfta monastery

The artist, who also works as an archaeologist, then developed ideas for the cultural use of the site. Among other things, he pursued the goal of an education center as well as a local and monastery museum. In 1990 he founded the Board of Trustees of St. Marien Monastery in Helfta to revitalize the monastery, which in 1999 (like until 1546) was taken over by the Cistercian women. He also succeeded in placing the remains of the Ottonian imperial palace in professional care.

The Catholic priest Horst Mittenentzwei from Hettstedt also campaigned for the reconstruction of the monastery, which was advocated at an audience by Pope John Paul II . After the reunification , further initiatives arose from the Protestant and non-Christian side, which in 1992 merged with monument preservers to form the Association of Friends of the Helfta Monastery under Herrmann's leadership. For the area sold by the Treuhand to the diocese of Magdeburg in 1994 , the Magdeburg Bishop Leo Nowak took over the building owner and the reconstruction of the church, convent and cloister began. After the handover to the Cistercians and the diocese, Herrmann dissolved the association in March 2000; instead, the Friends of the Monastery of St. Marien zu Helfta e. V. for further support from outside, among other things for the construction of the new retreat and education house .

Local and monastery museum Helfta

Herrmann's initiative to found an archive and museum had two reasons: the historical significance of the area (imperial palace near Helfta, castle, Thuringian royal court, etc.) and the fact that only a few finds are available in Helfta and Eisleben, but are widely scattered and hardly registered were.

Over 20 years, Herrmann created a compendium for the museum on the rich history of the once flourishing and now reviving district of Lutherstadt Eisleben, from the Stone Age to the present. It combines archaeological, local history, theological and artistic aspects to create a holistic picture of Helfta and its St. Marien monastery.

In addition to its documents, found objects and everyday objects, the museum is supplemented by an archive , including photos of important personalities and of places and squares of Helfta through the ages. It centralizes the sources, findings and documents with the help of the local population and some associations with collections, photo archives and family estates.

After Joachim Herrmann fell seriously ill, his son Hans Herrmann, the conservationist for the old district of Mansfelder Land , continued this work and was able to open the museum archive in 2009.

Publications

  • J. Hermann Helfta: Helfta Monastery. Former Cistercian Abbey, Eisleben-Helfta (= Little Art Guide No. 2219). Schnell & Steiner, Regensburg 1995.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Obituary notice

Web links