Lichtgedanken 02

S C HW E R P U N K T 14 The special national exhibition »Luther and the Ger- mans«, which can be seen in Wartburg Castle in Eise- nach until 5 November, reflects the relationship of the Germans with the famous reformer over the course of 500 years. The University of Jena is providing the cura- tors of the exhibition not only with objects but also its formidable scientific expertise. Luther is not just Luther – the image of the great reformer has instead been subject to regular revision in the last five cen- turies, changing from a prophet all the way to a separatist. The reasons for this fickle relationship are illuminated by the special national exhibition »Luther and the Germans« on view in Wartburg Castle. No fewer than four scientists from the FSU form part of the unit of scientific advisors for the exhibition. The historian of the Early Modern, Prof. Dr Georg Schmidt, the historian of the Reformation and Head of the University Archives adjunct professor Dr Joachim Bauer, the theologian Prof. Dr Christopher Spehr and the Germanist Prof. Dr Jens Haustein lent their support with insights into their particular fields during the preparations lasting several years. The exhibition is divided into three sections, dealing with Luther’s time in Wartburg Castle, his services to religious, personal and family freedom and the German language as BY JULIANE DÖLITZSCH Luther and the Germans well as the political instrumentalization of the reformer. The Thuringian State and University Library is contributing ele- ven prints to the exhibition, among them Luther’s September New Testament from 1522 of which there are only a few ori- ginal copies in existence. The University of Jena is principally donating pieces from the time of its foundation in the middle of the 16th century, e.g. the University seal and the seal of the Theological Faculty. A few further objects, such as the Rector’s chain of office, date back to the 19th century when Luther was increasingly stylized as a »national German hero«. »The image of a hammer-wielding Martin Luther is a clear expression of this trend,« Joachim Bauer explains. »He was already venera- ted in the 16th century, and the 17th century saw his sacralisa- tion with depictions of him with a halo, for example, or as an angel with an everlasting gospel to preach,« adds Christopher Spehr. The Germans and their view of the world The exhibition shows not only all facets of Martin Luther: »For the Germans, it was not necessarily a question of Luther’s perspective but of fitting him into their current world view,« Bauer explains. It is of course true that Luther expressed ambivalent opinions on the Jews. But during the Third Reich, his highly negatively formulated judgments were very deliberately picked up for propaganda purposes in support of NS ideology, Spehr explains. And in this sense, the exhibition is not only a show about Luther but also qui- te literally about the Germans. Ultimately, they themselves and their history are reflected in Luther. Luther’s September New Testament dated 1522 from the Thuringian State and University Library is displayed in the exhibition. The Rector’s chain of office from 1858 (above) and the seal of the university from the time of its foundation with an image of the Elector Johann Friedrich I. are also to be seen in Wartburg Castle.