Ein Jahrhundertleben (Folge 3) | Das Vermächtnis der 100-Jährigen | NDR Doku

Following the great interest in the first two episodes of "A Century of Life," which aired on NDR television on January 1st and 2nd, 2022, two further documentaries delve deeply into the memories of centenarians. Looking through their photo albums, these eight eyewitnesses share their most personal, defining experiences and most emotional moments with viewers. The exploration of their life stories is also a journey through German history. How do these eight diverse individuals view the past and present? What were their personal moments of happiness, and what shaped them? Eckhardt Erbguth still works in his studio 99-year-old Eckhardt Erbguth lives in Dabel and still works in his studio. He sculpts female figures, animals, and doorknobs. As a sculptor and painter, he has made a name for himself in Mecklenburg. Some of his artworks are even located in public spaces, such as his "Handbell Player" in front of the church in Dabel or his crane group in the Wamckow Manor Park. Eckhardt Erbguth was born on March 7, 1923, in Züsow near Neukloster, the son of a forester and a housewife. At the age of 18, he became a guard at Hitler's Wolf's Lair headquarters. There, he was chosen to present new Wehrmacht uniforms to Hitler near Salzburg. Only later did he learn that this presentation was intended to be used as a pretext for an assassination attempt on Hitler. However, the bomb was never detonated. In 1953, Eckhardt Erbguth fled East Germany shortly before his imminent arrest: He had been regularly smuggling training materials from West Berlin for the Free Democratic Party (FDP). In the West, he pursued a career with customs in Münster and, after German reunification, bought a disused carpentry workshop. Even today, students come every week to learn from the nearly 100-year-old. Hans Helmut Killinger still studies the stock market daily. When Hans Helmut Killinger was born in Rostock on July 7, 1926, his father was the director of one of the largest industrial companies in northern Germany: the Rostock Neptun shipyard. At the age of 16, Hans Helmut Killinger became an anti-aircraft auxiliary, and subsequently performed compulsory labor and military service. Upon returning to Papendorf from British captivity in 1946, he and his father were arrested. After four weeks, Hans Helmut was released but had to leave Rostock within 24 hours. Following a successful career restart in the West, the 96-year-old still studies the stock market every day. When the family regained their villa after German reunification, Hans Helmut's youngest son painstakingly restored it and transformed it into an event center. There, Hans Helmut Killinger has met prominent guests such as Klaus Maria Brandauer, Hannelore Elsner, Friedrich von Thun, and many more. . ... Gerda Gidl is the oldest active member of THW Kiel. 99-year-old Gerda Gidl from Kiel started playing handball at a young age, which allowed her to avoid service in the League of German Girls (BDM). She joined THW Kiel in 1930, making her the club's oldest active member today. She is friends with THW stars such as Hein Dahlinger, namesake of the THW mascot Hein Daddel, Fritz Westerheider, and Fritz Weßling. After their active careers ended, she continued to play volleyball with them until her mid-90s. Her grandchildren especially remember her unconventional cooking style from back then: no organic ingredients, lots of butter, and absolutely no exotic vegetables or foreign spices. Walter Benthin is a recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit. Walter Benthin, born on January 28, 1923, was initially a sickly child. Wounded several times during World War II, he met his wife Erna, a nurse, in a military hospital. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, he dedicated himself to fostering understanding between East and West. He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for his support in establishing new clubs and associations in the former GDR. Today, he lives in Ratzeburg and has four children, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Following his wife's death, he even found a new partner: she, like him, is 99 years old and lives in Zarrentin. Despite his age, Walter Benthin commutes regularly. Learn more: www.ndr.de/jahrhundertleben You can find more documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://www.ardmediathek.de/dokus First broadcast: January 1, 2023 #ndr #history #jahrhundertleben