Modern testifiers advocate for democracy.

Uncovering Stories from the Past - Modern testifiers advocate for democracy.

Back in 1979, with his family and another family friend, Guenter Wetzel managed to flee East Germany through a handcrafted hot air balloon. The balloon made a landing near Naila (Landkreis Hof). Today, the balloon's fabric is on display temporarily at the Bavarian History Museum in Regensburg.

The main reason behind his escape was his yearning to pursue the study of physics, which he couldn't do because of his dad's escape from the East Germany in 1962 and his own disinterest in joining the SED. When people compared the pandemic restrictions with life in East Germany during Corona, he was infuriated. These individuals had no idea how limited freedom was under the East German regime.

Hans Schuierer gained significant notoriety as a symbol of resistance, sticking to his guns in defiance of a controversial waste treatment facility (WAA) in Wackersdorf (Landkreis Schwandorf). In 1985, he refused to grant permission for the construction of the WAA, which was being promoted by the local government. Despite a legal impeachment process, Schuierer didn't budge. He stayed in office and ultimately prevented the WAA from being built.

Guenter Wetzel - Museum of Bavarian HistoryGunter Wetzel's Official WebsiteBalloon Flight Hans Schuierer - Museum of Bavarian History

Read also:

1. After fleeing the GDR, Guenter Wetzel found solace in the welcoming County of Hof, where he later shared his harrowing escape story with the local people.
2. The fixed date for the temporary exhibition of Guenter Wetzel's hot air balloon fabric at the Bavarian History Museum in Regensburg has not been announced yet, but it's definitely a must-visit for those interested in history.
3. During his tenure as the mayor of the County of Hof, Hans Schuierer gained popularity as a champion of democracy, standing firmly against the controversial waste treatment facility, which was a significant point of contention in Bavaria's history.
4. The escape of Guenter Wetzel's father from East Germany in 1962 and Guenter's own disinterest in joining the SED were among the factors that motivated Guenter to pursue his dream of studying physics abroad, leading to their historic hot air balloon escape.
5. Following the footsteps of Hans Schuierer, modern testifiers in Bavaria are advocating for democracy and individual freedoms, drawing parallels between the strict pandemic restrictions and life under the oppressive East German regime, as exemplified by the experiences of Guenter Wetzel.

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