"Denk-mal!" plaque for Carl Hahn Sr. is removed
As a result of a public discussion event, the so-called "Denk-mal!" plaque for Carl Hahn Sr. laid by the Rotary Club of Chemnitz in September will be removed again. The scientific findings presented at the event by historians from Chemnitz University of Technology and Friedrich Schiller University Jena are unambiguous.
Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "As a member of the Management Board of Auto Union AG, Carl Hahn Sr. was involved in the National Socialist war economy and was jointly responsible for the use of thousands of forced labourers and concentration camp prisoners in the company's factories. He thus symbolises the darkest chapter in German history and cannot stand in the same line as other 'Great Chemnitzers'. His services to the Saxon automotive industry and the associated job creation remain undisputed. I very much hope that the Rotary Club of Chemnitz will come to the same conclusion after the clear scientific assessment."
In future, the city will propose a new procedure for new applications for the laying of a "Denk-mal!" plaque by the Rotary Club of Chemnitz. Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "In future, we will prepare a public submission for the Culture Committee on the person to be honoured, which will include a recommendation. This will enable us to facilitate a public debate in advance. In the run-up to honouring Carl Hahn senior, we didn't do enough research into his biography when we endorsed the Rotarians' project."
The "Denk-mal!" plaque for Carl Hahn Sr. will be removed in the coming weeks. This depends on the weather, so an exact date cannot be given.