Commemorative Plaque Honors Gabriele Tergit's Last Berlin Residence

A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at Siegmunds Hof in Berlin, marking the final Berlin address of renowned author and journalist Gabriele Tergit before her forced exile under the Nazi regime. The unveiling serves as a tribute to Tergit's significant contributions to literature and journalism, as well as a reminder of the historical events that led to her emigration.

Gabriele Tergit, who gained fame as a court reporter for the 'Berliner Tageblatt' and as the author of the novel 'Käsebier erobert den Kurfürstendamm,' lived at this address with her family. Following the Reichstag fire, a pivotal moment in Nazi Germany's consolidation of power, members of the SA entered her residence. Tergit, targeted due to her Jewish heritage and outspoken antifascist writings, was alerted to the danger and managed to avoid immediate arrest or worse outcomes, thanks to the intervention of the Berlin police chief, who ensured that any entry into her home would be supervised by law enforcement.

Despite this temporary reprieve, Tergit soon realized the escalating threat and fled Germany. Her journey took her through Czechoslovakia and Palestine before finally settling in London. In the United Kingdom, she continued her literary activities and served as secretary for the PEN Center for German-speaking authors in exile. Tergit remained in London until her death in 1982.

The commemorative plaque project was initiated by the remembrance group 'Gleis 69' in 2019. Initial efforts to install the plaque faced delays due to lack of interest from the current property owner and necessary renovations to the neighboring building. Once restoration work was completed, the plaque was finally installed at the appropriate site, ensuring that Tergit's legacy would be recognized in the city she loved.

Tergit's principal literary work, 'Effingers,' is widely regarded as a masterful chronicle of a Berlin family. Despite its innovative narrative style and historical significance, the novel went largely unnoticed upon publication in the 1950s. Only in recent years, thanks to renewed scholarly interest and efforts to republish her works, has Tergit's contribution to German literature gained broader recognition both domestically and internationally.

After World War II, Tergit's work received little attention in Germany, reflecting the broader challenges faced by Jewish and antifascist writers in the postwar period. Nonetheless, she maintained a connection to Berlin, returning for visits each year from 1948 onwards, though she chose not to resettle permanently. Many of her writings reflect her enduring affection for Berlin, with numerous essays and reports serving as tributes to the city's culture and resilience.

The installation of the commemorative plaque not only honors Gabriele Tergit's memory but also highlights the broader historical experiences of those who were persecuted and exiled during the Nazi era. It stands as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and preserving the contributions of individuals who shaped Berlin's cultural and intellectual landscape.