Theatrical Premiere: "Vergeltung" at Schauspiel Köln

“Perhaps we must finally learn to truly understand that the fabric of our civilization is woven from fire and smoke.” (W.G. Sebald)

Event Overview

Immerse yourself in a chilling narrative that begins at an altitude of 4,000 meters. A 600-meter-wide and 30-kilometer-long stream of American bombers approaches a German city. Moments later, bombs rain down, parachutes from bomber crews descend, and the chaos ensues with dive-bombers and anti-aircraft towers.

The Horror Unfolds

On the ground, houses and streets become scenes of unimaginable horror as people are engulfed in boiling tar. Amidst this devastation, a mother searches for her son, already claimed by death as a flak helper; a young woman finds herself buried under rubble with a stranger, suffering unspeakable violence.

The Novel

Gert Ledig's novel Vergeltung examines the destructive force of an Allied air raid in July 1944 without sentimentality. The city remains nameless in the narrative but could easily represent Köln. Following the night of May 30 to 31, 1942, only the cathedral stood amidst the ruins.

Historical Context

• Published in 1956, during a time when authors like Heinrich Böll and Günter Grass depicted post-war reality.
• Quickly forgotten, the trauma of air raids remains largely unaddressed.
• Current urban architecture silently testifies to the horrors of that era.

The Production

Director Sebastian Baumgarten stages Ledig's powerful denunciation of war-mongering phrases such as “fatherland, heroism, tradition, faith, and honor” as a world premiere at Schauspiel Köln.

Join Us

Don’t miss this thought-provoking production that confronts the legacy of war. Reserve your tickets today!