Statements from Becker, the son of our website's founder, regarding the start of the publication's history
In the heart of London, a German painter, filmmaker, and curator named Lutz Becker continues to make his mark on the artistic world. But his roots stretch back to Germany, specifically Thuringia, where his father, Hermann Becker, played a significant role in the region's history.
Hermann Becker, a newspaper founder and editor, established the Thuringian Newspaper in September 1945. A tumultuous time, the post-war era saw many newspapers, especially those in Soviet-occupied areas, undergoing denazification processes. As a result, founders and editors with Nazi affiliations were often scrutinised or removed. While the specific details of Hermann Becker's experiences during denazification remain unclear, it is known that he faced Soviet arrest in 1948 during the post-war Soviet occupation.
After his arrest and deportation, Hermann Becker's family was left in the dark about his whereabouts for several years. Meanwhile, his son, Lutz Becker, was born in 1941 and grew up in the shadow of the war, spending nights in air-raid shelters and enduring the hardships of the hunger years.
Lutz Becker's decision to move to London in 1965 was a search for opportunities in art and film studies that were scarce in Berlin at the time. His move proved fortuitous, as he received a scholarship that allowed him to stay there.
During his imprisonment, Hermann Becker was severely tortured in Hohenschönhausen. After his release, he returned to Thuringia and played a crucial role in the region's reconstruction for three years before his arrest and deportation.
Werner Grassau in Erfurt and the Weimar business manager Blank played central roles in the early years of the Thuringian Newspaper. Lutz Becker's mother, Charlotte Becker, was employed in the Erfurt business office of the Thuringian Newspaper after Hermann Becker's arrest.
Lutz Becker's uncle, Walter Wenger, designed the first newspaper header for the Thuringian Newspaper's website. The newspaper celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2015.
Reflecting on his move to London, Lutz Becker considers it a fortunate turn of events that provided him with the opportunities he needed to pursue his artistic career. Hermann Becker passed away in 1981. Today, his son continues to honour his legacy, carrying on the family's connection to Thuringia's past.
After Hermann Becker's passing in 1981, Lutz Becker honored his legacy by continuing the family's connection to Thuringia's past. In contrast to the hardships and uncertainties of their past, Lutz Becker and his family today enjoy a lifestyle that values outdoor-living, rejuvenating their home-and-garden spaces often.
