When does the exhibition start?

The exhibition is on view in the foyer of the Ludwig Erhard Center from October 14, 2026.

What is the entrance fee?

Entrance to the foyer exhibition is free.

When will guided tours take place?

Guided tours will take place on October 25, 2026, November 8, 2026, December 9, 2026, and January 10, 2027, each at 3 PM.

Do I need to register for a guided tour?

No, registration is not required. Interested visitors can just drop by.

Where is the exhibition taking place?

The exhibition takes place in the foyer of the Ludwig Erhard Center, Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 6, 90762 Fürth.

What are the opening hours of the Ludwig Erhard Center?

The center is open from 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the opening hours are from 10 AM to 6 PM. On the last Thursday of each month, visiting is possible from 9 AM to 8 PM.

With the Camera in World War I

Name: With the Camera in World War I
Start: 2026-10-14T09:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-14T18:00:00+02:00
Location: Ludwig Erhard Zentrum

A Personal Look at World War I at the Ludwig Erhard Center

The foyer exhibition With the Camera in World War I. The Photo Album of Wilhelm Hecht opens on October 14, 2026, an unusually immediate access to the history of World War I. At its center is a private photo album with 279 images that brings the daily life of young Fürth soldier Wilhelm Hecht into view.

Photography as a Personal Medium of Remembrance

The photographs do not exclusively show battlefields and military operations. The focus is on comrades, breaks, shared activities, and seemingly carefree moments behind the front lines. It is precisely these private image moments that give the exhibition its unique atmosphere: Between everyday life, intimacy, and historical threat, a nuanced consideration of the act of seeing in war emerges.

Between Everyday Life and Destruction

In the photographic series, the violence of war is often visible indirectly. Destroyed churches, burnt-out tanks, and soldiers' cemeteries refer to the consequences of industrial warfare without concentrating the gaze on spectacular battle scenes. The aesthetic experience of the exhibition arises from this tension between private memory images and the traces of a comprehensive historical catastrophe.

The Connection to the Family of Ludwig Erhard

A special historical layer opens up the connection between Wilhelm Hecht and Max Erhard, the older brother of Ludwig Erhard. Both served on the Western Front. Decades later, Margot Hecht discovered the name Lt. Erhard in the photo album and recognized it as the future Federal Minister of Economics and Chancellor Ludwig Erhard. The previously unknown photographs of Max Erhard document his last months of life. Max Erhard fell on Easter Sunday in 1915 during an artillery attack at the age of 25.

Historical Visual Competence and Cultural Education

The exhibition invites visitors to read photographs not as neutral representations but as personal testimonies and historical sources. It makes visible what perspective a young soldier developed on his surroundings and how memory is shaped by selection, intimacy, and composition. Thus, the Ludwig Erhard Center connects photographic documentation, family history, and cultural education into a concentrated artistic experience in the historical foyer.

Guided Tours on the Theme of World War I

In addition to the exhibition, the Ludwig Erhard Center offers guided tours on specific themes. The dates are October 25, 2026, November 8, 2026, December 9, 2026, and January 10, 2027, each starting at 3 PM. Registration is not required. Participation costs 2 euros plus entrance fee.

Conclusion: A Quiet, Compelling Artistic Experience

The exhibition opens a personal access to the history of World War I, connecting photography, culture of remembrance, and Fürth family history. Those who want to view historical images up close and experience the impact of a private photo album as a historical document will find a compelling aesthetic experience at the Ludwig Erhard Center. A visit is especially worthwhile for those who want to not only read history but also understand it through concrete images and human fates.