50 years after graduating from high school: nostalgia at the class reunion in Esslingen!

50 years after graduating from high school: nostalgia at the class reunion in Esslingen!

On May 23, 2025, the graduates of the Georgii-Gymnasium in Esslingen gathered for a special class reunion to share memories together 50 years after their graduation. Many of the participants saw each other again for the first time in five decades, which created a special atmosphere. Among the participants were Petra von Sobbe and Roland Karpentier, the latter of whom worked as a press spokesman and head of the mayor's office in Esslingen for many years. The meeting was organized by Bernhard Kciuk, who took care of restoring old contacts.

Class reunions like this not only serve to maintain old friendships, but also to renew memories of school days. So reported esslinger-zeitung.de about the various topics discussed at this meeting, including Saturday classes and hairstyles of the time.

From the “Maturum” to today’s school realities

Class reunions are a phenomenon that is widespread in German-speaking countries. They enable former students to refresh memories and maintain contacts. These gatherings often take place in front of the old school building and are often characterized by a nostalgic look back. Former teachers are often invited to share their experiences. This practice is usually organized by the former students, often those who remained at the school's residence. Loud wikipedia.org Such meetings can also be associated with emotional moments that are often discussed in films and books.

Another example of a class reunion recently took place at Georgii-Gymnasium, where former students came together 70 years after graduating from high school. Hermann Schneyder, 88 years old, and four classmates reported on their experiences, including everyday school life during the Nazi era and the challenges they faced. They remembered that half of their high school graduates did not return from the war. georgii-gymnasium.de highlights how questions from current students to contemporary witnesses affect both the modern school system and the subjects that existed in the past.

In summary, it can be said that class reunions not only allow students to look back on their own school days, but also build bridges between different generations. While the graduates from 1975 chat about times gone by in Esslingen, the former students from 1939 answer questions from current students and offer valuable insights into a piece of history that is still important today.