New exhibition in Hemau: Discover right-wing terrorism from 1945 to today!

New exhibition in Hemau: Discover right-wing terrorism from 1945 to today!

The exhibition “Right-Wing Terrorism: Conspiracy and Self-Empowerment from 1945 to Today” will open in Hemauer Zehntstadel from November 3, 2025 to January 30, 2026. Developed by the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, the exhibition addresses acts of violence motivated by right-wing extremism, their motives and social reactions to them. Over 20 cases of right-wing terrorist violence between 1945 and today are presented. Admission is free and opening times are Mondays and Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will be closed during the Christmas holidays from December 22nd, 2025 to January 6th, 2026.

The accompanying events include an extensive program of lectures and workshops that are free but require registration. The first event will take place on November 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Regensburg and is entitled “What does ‘extreme’ mean? – Understanding dangerous ways of thinking and behavior patterns”. Another opening with a specialist lecture will take place on November 14th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in Hemau, followed by several online seminars on topics such as “Effective prevention strategies” and “Fights for remembering and against repression” on December 14th and 4th, 2025. Further lectures will be dedicated to the topic of “Right-wing extremism in the Upper Palatinate” and the history of right-wing terrorism in Germany since 1945.

Overview of right-wing terrorism

Right-wing terrorism, a central theme of the exhibition, includes attacks, murders and other forms of politically motivated violence based on right-wing extremist ideology. There is no uniform scientific definition of the term terrorism. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution defines terrorism as an “armed struggle for political goals” that spreads uncertainty and fear through serious crimes and strengthens support in one’s own camp, such as BPtB reported.

The history of right-wing terrorism in Germany goes back to the 1950s. Well-known incidents such as the Oktoberfest attack in 1980, in which 13 people died, and the series of murders by the NSU, which cost the lives of ten people, are striking examples of right-wing terrorist violence. The NSU and its emergence in 2011 led to increased attention to this issue and made society aware of the dangers of right-wing extremist structures.

Individual perpetrators and changes in terrorism

Right-wing terrorist acts of violence are often directed against political opponents or people with a migration background. The lone perpetrators, also known as “Lone Actors” or “Lone Wolves”, often act ideologically motivated and independent of established political groups. This development has been particularly accelerated by internet communication and is leading to an increase in such acts, according to the BPtB.

Examples of individual perpetrators include the assassination attempt on Henriette Reker in 2015 and the murders of Walter Lübcke in 2019. The social relevance of the topic is made clear by the events accompanying the exhibition, which focus on prevention and the confrontation with extremist ideologies.

Registration for lectures and workshops is possible via vhs Regensburger Land, by phone at 09401/5255-0 or by email at info@vhs-regensburger-land.de.

Overall, the exhibition in Hemau shows the historical roots and current developments of right-wing terrorism, and appeals to society to proactively address these challenges. Information about the exhibition can be found on the Website of the city of Hemau be retrieved.