A Look Back at Past Events
Here you’ll find a recap of selected past educational events. Click on the photo to view a photo gallery.
School: Visit to the HannoverKolleg Evening High School
On September 16, 13th-grade students from the HannoverKolleg Evening High School visited Villa Seligman as part of the thematic unit “Jewish Life in Germany in the Long 19th Century” for their 2027 high school history exam. After a tour of the house, historian Dr. Peter Schulze provided an overview of Siegmund Seligmann’s life and work, as well as Jewish life and anti-Semitism in Hanover.
More about the visit: https://www.hannovers-gymnasien-fuer-erwachsene.de/juedische-geschichte-an-einem-besonderen-lernort/
School: Exchange Program
On June 16, 2025, the Lutherschule Hannover, together with its Turkish partner school, the Alkev Gymnasium in Istanbul, visited Villa Seligmann. The goal of the exchange program is to break down stereotypes and prejudices. In this context, students from both schools shared their experiences. For example, the students spoke about their complex identities. Languages, countries of origin, and the concept of home served as a bridge to learning about the diversity of Jewish life around the world.
School: Project Days on Democracy Education: “The Power of Language”
On June 12, 2025, students from the Ricarda-Huch-Schule spent one of their project days on the topic of democracy education at Villa Seligmann. Under the theme “The Power of Language—Why Is My Choice of Words Important, and How Do I Contribute to a Better World?”, the students from various grade levels came together to explore the different facets of language, power, and invisibility. Through their discussions, they realized how important it is to be mindful of their own language and to consider other people and their perspectives.
Exchange with Students from the Police Academy
On June 4, 2025, students from the Lower Saxony Police Academy visited Villa Seligmann. As part of the educational program, they participated in a discussion with three young Jewish people on topics such as mutual perceptions, expectations, and learning about the realities of Jewish life. We are very pleased to have laid an important foundation for future collaboration.
School: Salto Wortale
On June 3, 2025, 12 third- and fourth-graders visited Villa Seligmann as part of the Salto Wortale Literature Festival. After a scavenger hunt through the house, the children learned more about the holiday of Shavuot. In keeping with this year’s festival theme (“True Lies”), the participants then focused primarily on the topic of prejudice. They discussed the effects of untruths and ways to interact with one another more effectively.
Visit by the Sprengel Young Circle
On May 27, 2025, members of the Sprengel Young Circle were guests at Villa Seligmann as part of their monthly networking meeting. The event focused in particular on the theme “80 Years Since the End of the War” and the handling of looted art in Hanover. Speaking on behalf of the City of Hanover, Kay Schweigmann-Greve discussed the restitution of looted art. During a guided tour of the building, the group also gained a behind-the-scenes look at this unique cultural institution and had the opportunity for a stimulating exchange of ideas.
School: Project Presentation “Forbidden Sounds”
On May 28, 2025, 12th-grade students in the music program at the Leonore-Goldschmidt-Schule organized an evening event on the theme “Forbidden Sounds.” Through art, music, presentations, and a detailed and technically elaborate stage production, the students explored the suppression of art and culture—particularly music—during the Nazi era. The tutorial highlighted the enduring relevance of remembrance work in individual formats.
School: Project Presentation “Knowledge in Flames”
On May 8, 2025, Class 10M at Helene-Lange-Schule presented the results of their project week on the topic of “Democracy and Memory,” with a focus on the book burnings of 1933. The students presented videos they produced themselves, a musical performance, and an interactive art installation in the form of a bookshelf. This was followed by a discussion in the garden of Villa Seligmann. The installation will remain on display at Villa Seligmann until the Night of the Museums (June 14) and is open to the public.
School: Future Day
On April 3, 2025, 11 students from the Hanover region visited Villa Seligmann as part of Future Day (Girls’ Day/Boys’ Day) and got a behind-the-scenes look at a cultural institution. They got to know the Villa Seligmann team and their respective areas of work and, under guidance, developed a concept for a full day of events. During a group lunch break, the students had the opportunity to network with one another.
School: Purim Event
On March 12, three 6th-grade classes from the Helene-Lange-Schule and the Ricarda-Huch-Schule visited Villa Seligmann and learned together about the “Festival of Lots.” In addition to an educational session led by Rabbi Alexander Kovtun of the Liberal Jewish Community of Hanover, the students took part in a joint creative activity themed around the holiday. They also discussed topics such as tolerance, acceptance, and mutual respect. The event concluded with a joint reading of the Book of Esther in the garden.
Photos: Heiner Schlote
