Albrecht Goes
Encyclopedia
Albrecht Goes was a German
writer
and Protestant
theologian
.
in Langenbeutingen
. He spent his childhood there, but his mother died in 1911 and in 1915 he went to live with his grandmother in Berlin-Steglitz. He went to school there until 1919, when he moved to a school in Göppingen. In 1922 he entered the theological seminary
in Urach, and from 1922-1923 he attended the seminary in Schöntal
. His room-mate there was Gerd Gaiser. He passed his university exams and in 1924 entered the advanced seminary in Urach.
In 1926 he read German studies
and History in Tübingen
, then switched to Theology. In 1928 he went to Berlin to continue his Theology studies, and there he met and was influenced by Romano Guardini
. In 1930 Goes was ordained as a parson
in Tuttlingen’s
main church, and in 1931 became a vicar
at the Martinskirche in Stuttgart
. In 1933 he began his first rectorate in Unterbalzheim
in Illertissen
. In the same year he married Elisabeth Schneider, with whom he had three daughters: Christin, Brigitte and Rose. In 1938 he took up a rectorate in Gebersheim (which today is a part of the city of Leonberg
).
His involvement with the German army
during the Second World War
began when he was conscripted in 1940. He was trained as a radio operator and sent to Romania
. From 1942 to 1945 he was a clergyman in a hospitals and prisons in Russia, Poland, Hungary and Austria. After the war he returned to his ministry in Gebersheim, and he stayed there until he quit the Church in 1953 to become a full-time writer; from then on he preached twice a month. In 1954 he moved back to Stuttgart-Rohr. He campaigned against the rearmament
of Germany by, for example, adding his signature to the ‘German Manifesto’ of the Paul’s Church Movement (along with, among others, Gustav Heinemann
). In 1958 he was inaugurated into the Berlin Academy of Arts
.
Goes’s first volumes of poetry were Verse in 1932 and Der Hirte (The Herdsman) in 1934. The story Unruhige Nacht (Restless Night) was published in 1950. The novel Das Brandopfer (The Burnt Offering) examined the Holocaust
during the Third Reich
from the perspective of an ordinary butcher’s wife, who eventually tries to find justice
by sacrificing
herself. The book, written in simple language, is considered a significant contribution to the dialogue and reconciliation between Jews
and Christians
in the post-Third Reich era. This was recognised in 1978 when Goes was awarded the Buber-Rosenzweig Medal
. Both Unruhige Nacht and Das Brandopfer were turned into films. Unruhige Nacht was translated into English
as Arrow to the Heart
and adapted for broadcast by BBC Television
in the United Kingdom
in 1952.
Albrecht Goes’s work is often compared with that of Albrecht Haushofer
, Reinhold Schneider
, Rudolf Alexander Schröder and Gertrud von Le Fort
. His 100th birthday was celebrated with new scholarly books and editions of his works, and an extensive programme of events.
Albrecht Goes was buried at the Prag Cemetery in Stuttgart on 28 February 2000.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Life
Albrecht Goes was born in 1908 in the Protestant rectoryRectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
in Langenbeutingen
Langenbrettach
Langenbrettach is a town in the district of Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
. He spent his childhood there, but his mother died in 1911 and in 1915 he went to live with his grandmother in Berlin-Steglitz. He went to school there until 1919, when he moved to a school in Göppingen. In 1922 he entered the theological seminary
Evangelical Seminaries of Maulbronn and Blaubeuren
The Protestant Seminaries of Maulbronn and Blaubeuren in Baden-Württemberg, Germany are two Gymnasiums and Protestant boarding schools in the Württemberg tradition....
in Urach, and from 1922-1923 he attended the seminary in Schöntal
Schöntal Abbey
Schöntal Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey in Schöntal in the district of Hohenlohe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is famous as one of the most impressive pieces of Baroque architecture in northern Württemberg and is now used by the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart as a retreat and training...
. His room-mate there was Gerd Gaiser. He passed his university exams and in 1924 entered the advanced seminary in Urach.
In 1926 he read German studies
German studies
German studies is the field of humanities that researches, documents, and disseminates German language and literature in both its historic and present forms. Academic departments of German studies often include classes on German culture, German history, and German politics in addition to the...
and History in Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, then switched to Theology. In 1928 he went to Berlin to continue his Theology studies, and there he met and was influenced by Romano Guardini
Romano Guardini
Romano Guardini was a Catholic priest, author, and academic. He was one of the most important figures in Catholic intellectual life in 20th-century.- Life and work:...
. In 1930 Goes was ordained as a parson
Parson
In the pre-Reformation church, a parson was the priest of an independent parish church, that is, a parish church not under the control of a larger ecclesiastical or monastic organization...
in Tuttlingen’s
Tuttlingen
Tuttlingen is a town in Baden-Württemberg, capital of the district Tuttlingen. Nendingen, Möhringen and Eßlingen are three former municipalities that belong to Tuttlingen...
main church, and in 1931 became a vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
at the Martinskirche in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
. In 1933 he began his first rectorate in Unterbalzheim
Balzheim
Balzheim is a municipality in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
in Illertissen
Illertissen
Illertissen is a town in the district of Neu-Ulm in Bavaria. It is situated approximately 20 km south from Ulm nearby the river Iller.-Coat of arms:...
. In the same year he married Elisabeth Schneider, with whom he had three daughters: Christin, Brigitte and Rose. In 1938 he took up a rectorate in Gebersheim (which today is a part of the city of Leonberg
Leonberg
Leonberg is a town in the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg about 10 miles to the west of Stuttgart, the state capital. Approximately 45,000 people live in Leonberg, making it the third biggest borough in the rural district of Böblingen .Leonberg is most famous for its picturesque market...
).
His involvement with the German army
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began when he was conscripted in 1940. He was trained as a radio operator and sent to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. From 1942 to 1945 he was a clergyman in a hospitals and prisons in Russia, Poland, Hungary and Austria. After the war he returned to his ministry in Gebersheim, and he stayed there until he quit the Church in 1953 to become a full-time writer; from then on he preached twice a month. In 1954 he moved back to Stuttgart-Rohr. He campaigned against the rearmament
Wiederbewaffnung
Wiederbewaffnung refers to the United States of America plan to help build up West Germany after World War II. They could not function outside an alliance framework . These events lead to the establishment of the Bundeswehr, the West German army, in 1955.Heinz Guderian stated that the fight was...
of Germany by, for example, adding his signature to the ‘German Manifesto’ of the Paul’s Church Movement (along with, among others, Gustav Heinemann
Gustav Heinemann
Gustav Walter Heinemann, GCB was a German politician. He was Mayor of the city of Essen from 1946 to 1949, West German Minister of the Interior from 1949 to 1950, Minister of Justice from 1966 to 1969 and President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1969 to 1974.-Early years and professional...
). In 1958 he was inaugurated into the Berlin Academy of Arts
Akademie der Künste
The Akademie der Künste, Berlin is an arts institution in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1696 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg as the Prussian Academy of Arts, an academic institution where members could meet and discuss and share ideas...
.
Goes’s first volumes of poetry were Verse in 1932 and Der Hirte (The Herdsman) in 1934. The story Unruhige Nacht (Restless Night) was published in 1950. The novel Das Brandopfer (The Burnt Offering) examined the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
during the Third Reich
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
from the perspective of an ordinary butcher’s wife, who eventually tries to find justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
by sacrificing
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.While sacrifice often implies ritual killing, the term offering can be used for bloodless sacrifices of cereal food or artifacts...
herself. The book, written in simple language, is considered a significant contribution to the dialogue and reconciliation between Jews
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
and Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in the post-Third Reich era. This was recognised in 1978 when Goes was awarded the Buber-Rosenzweig Medal
Buber-Rosenzweig-Medal
The Buber-Rosenzweig-Medaille is an annual prize awarded since 1968 by the Deutscher Koordinierungsrat der Gesellschaften für Christlich-Jüdische Zusammenarbeit...
. Both Unruhige Nacht and Das Brandopfer were turned into films. Unruhige Nacht was translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as Arrow to the Heart
Arrow to the Heart
Arrow to the Heart is a British television drama, originally broadcast by BBC Television in 1952 and remade in 1956. It was adapted from the German novel Unruhige Nacht by Albrecht Goes, published in 1950...
and adapted for broadcast by BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1952.
Albrecht Goes’s work is often compared with that of Albrecht Haushofer
Albrecht Haushofer
Albrecht Georg Haushofer was a German geographer, diplomat and author.Albrecht Haushofer's father was the retired General and geographer Karl Haushofer . His mother Martha . Albrecht had one brother, Heinz.Albrecht studied geography and history at Munich University...
, Reinhold Schneider
Reinhold Schneider
Reinhold Schneider was a German poet who also wrote novels. Initially his works were less religious, but later his poetry had a Christian and specifically Catholic influence. His first works included Luís de Camões and Portugal He had written anti-war poems, which were banned in Nazi Germany...
, Rudolf Alexander Schröder and Gertrud von Le Fort
Gertrud von Le Fort
Gertrud von Le Fort was a German writer of novels, poems, and essays. She came from a Protestant background, but converted to Catholicism in 1926. Most of Gertrud's writings come after this conversion...
. His 100th birthday was celebrated with new scholarly books and editions of his works, and an extensive programme of events.
Albrecht Goes was buried at the Prag Cemetery in Stuttgart on 28 February 2000.
Works
- Verse; Stuttgart 1932
- Der Hirte. Gedichte; Leipzig 1934
- Heimat ist gut. Zehn Gedichte; Hamburg 1935
- Lob des Lebens. Betrachtungen und Gedichte; Stuttgart 1936
- Vergebung; 1937
- Der Zaungast; 1938
- Der Nachbar. Gedichte; Berlin 1940
- Gelöbnis; Nachtwache, Fleckfieberlazarett, Frühling 1943
- Die guten Gefährten. Begegnungen; 1942
- Die Begegnung. Zehn Gedichte; (Privatdruck) 1944
- Der Weg zum Stall; 1946
- Die Herberge. Gedichte; Berlin 1947
- Unruhige Nacht; 1950
- Das Brandopfer. Erzählung, 1954
- Der Gastfreund. Prosa und Verse; Berlin (Ost) 1958
- Das Sankt Galler Spiel von der Kindheit Jesu, erneuert; 1959
- Zehn Gedichte; Frankfurt a.M. 1961
- Die Gabe und der Auftrag; Berlin (Ost) 1962
- Aber im Winde das Wort. Prosa und Verse aus zwanzig Jahren; Frankfurt a.M. 1963
- Das Löffelchen; 1965
- Tagwerk. Prosa und Verse; Frankfurt a.M. 1976
- Lichtschatten du. Gedichte aus fünfzig Jahren; Frankfurt a.M. 1978
- Erzählungen, Gedichte, Betrachtungen; Frankfurt a.M. 1986
- Keine Stunde schwindet. Eine Auswahl; Berlin (Ost) 1988
- Mit Mörike und Mozart. Studien aus fünfzig Jahren; 1991
- Dunkle Tür, angelehnt. Gedanken an der Grenze des Lebens; 1997
- Das Erstaunen. Begegnung mit dem Wunderbaren; 1998
- Lebensspur. Gedichte von Albrecht Goes und Aquarelle von Andreas Felger; Präsenz Kunst & Buch, 2007
Honours
- 1958: Willibald Tirkheimer-Medaille for services to culture and literature
- 1959: Federal Cross of Merit awarded by Theodor HeussTheodor HeussTheodor Heuss was a liberal German politician who served as the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany after World War II from 1949 to 1959...
- 1962: Heinrich-Stahl-Preis from the Jewish community of Berlin
- 1972: Guest of Honour at the Villa MassimoVilla MassimoVilla Massimo, short for Deutsche Akademie Rom Villa Massimo , is a German art institute in Rome, established in 1910 and located in the Villa Massimo....
in Rome - 1974: Honorary degreeHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from the Evangelisch Theologische Universität Mainz - 1977: Order of Merit of Baden-WürttembergBaden-WürttembergBaden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
- 1978: Buber-Rosenzweig Medal (for the novel Das Brandopfer)
- 1979: Professorship awarded by Lothar SpäthLothar SpäthLothar Späth is a German politician of the CDU.From 30 August 1978 to 13 January 1991 he was minister-president of Baden-Württemberg and chairman of the CDU Baden-Württemberg, serving as President of the Bundesrat in 1984/85.Later on he worked for Jenoptik AG until 2003...
, the minister-president of Baden-Württemberg - 1981: Albrecht-Goes-Straße was named after him in Langenbeutingen
- 1983: Citizen's Medal for special services to the city of Stuttgart
- 1991: Otto-Hirsch Medal from the city of Stuttgart
- 1994: Literature Prize from the city of Stuttgart
- 1998: Honours from the cities of Stuttgart and Leonberg, the Protestant Academy of Bad Boll, and the monastery in Schöntal to mark his 90th birthday
- 2000: Albrecht-Goes-Platz was named after him in Stuttgart, and there were celebrations of his life and work in Marbach and Leonberg
- 2001: A memorial stone was placed in front of the house in which he was born in Langenbeutingen, inscribed with lines from his poem Die Schritte (The Steps)
- 2004: Albrecht-Goes-Stube (The Albrecht Goes Room), a small museum, was opened in Langenbeutingen
- Bas-relief of Goes by Hermann Koziol is unveiled in the Place of Remembrance for the Fallen at BretzfeldBretzfeldBretzfeld is a municipality in the Hohenlohe district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located 17 km east of Heilbronn....
cemetery - 2008: A series of events take place at around twenty locations in Baden-Württemberg and Leipzig to mark Goes's one hundredth birthday
- 2008: Commemorative plaque unveiled in the Protestant diocese of Tübingen