A double anniversary will be celebrated in Hanover in 2026: On October 14, 1906, 120 years ago, Hannah Arendt was born in Hanover-Linden. She is considered one of the most important political theorists of the 20th century. Squares, streets, schools and prizes are named after her. Numerous new publications deal with Hannah Arendt’s life, work and impact.
From 1904 to 1906, Siegmund Seligmann and his wife Johanna had an upper-class villa built for themselves: The Villa Seligmann in Hohenzollernstraße in Hanover. It has been an integral part of cultural life in Hanover for many years. As a cultural center, museum and place of learning at the same time, Jewish life can be seen and experienced here, and the family history is told and researched.
After two short keynote speeches by Eliah Sakakushev – von Bismarck and Dr. Diana Häs, the parallels in the lives of Hannah Arendt and Johanna Seligmann-Coppel will be examined in a subsequent discussion. With a view to the Jewish identity of both women, their social impact and intellectual legacy, as well as flight and migration, will be discussed on the basis of selected stages of their lives. Finally, the discussion will be opened up to questions and suggestions from the audience.
Dr. Diana Häs is a lecturer in philosophy and political theory at various educational institutions and has been a board member of the Hannah Arendt Association for Political Thought in Bremen since 2024. She studied philosophy and educational science at the University of Osnabrück.
Eliah Sakakushev-von Bismarck has been Director of Villa Seligmann since 2018. His responsibilities include artistic and strategic planning, business administration, public relations and the conception and moderation of events. As a cultural manager and moderator, he regularly accepts invitations to panel discussions and lectures on the topics of Jewish music and Jewish cultural heritage.
