“Today, Alsace is a barrier between Germany and France; tomorrow, it should become a bridge connecting the two.” (Article “Die Brücke. Eine Mission des Elsaß.” by Julius Leber, published in the Lübecker Volksbote on 3 June 1925)

Julius Leber (1891–1945) was a member of the Reichstag, a journalist, and a resistance fighter against National Socialism. Born in the Alsatian village of Biesheim, he attended school in Breisach. His biography serves as a compelling example of the reciprocal history between the Alsace-Baden region and the interconnected lives of its inhabitants.

As part of the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of Nazi tyranny, organised by the Communauté de Communes Alsace Rhin Brisach, a Franco-German working group is currently developing an exhibition dedicated to Julius Leber. The group has enlisted political scientist Marvin Gamisch as curator. His research led him to the archives of the Lübecker Volksbote, where he discovered this forward-looking quotation.

The working group comprises members from the city of Breisach, the Communauté de Communes Alsace Rhin Brisach, the Art’Rhena cultural centre, the Julius-Leber-Schule in Breisach, the town of Biesheim, the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald District Office, and the project team “Bridge for the Future / Pont pour l’avenir.”

The exhibition is set to open on 5 January 2025 at Art’Rhena.