An exhibition by students of history at the University of Rostock. From 19.7. in the Kröpeliner Tor.
Were there pirates in Mecklenburg and Pomerania? We all know pirate stories. In M-V we first think of Störtebeker. But who were the people behind these legends? Was what they did forbidden or permitted? And how are their stories still being told today in order to deal with current problems?
Over the past few months, students from various degree courses at the Institute of History at the University of Rostock have been investigating these questions. As part of an exhibition project entitled "Störtebeker in Rostock", they researched various aspects of the Störtebeker legend under the direction of historian Prof. Gregor Rohmann and didactics expert Prof. Oliver Plessow in the winter semester 2024/25. This resulted in short essays, including on the Vitalienbrüder as companions of Störtebeker and the reception of the figure in the GDR.
At the beginning of the 2025 summer semester, the seminar group then turned its attention to the actual design of the exhibition rooms in the Kröpeliner Tor. In addition to selecting and preparing the exhibits, the students developed a script for the information panels, made replicas of striking objects and recorded original sources for the audio stations. Finally, a coherent exhibition concept was developed together with a scenographer from Schwerin.
"The citizens of Rostock are still unaware of how fascinating the stories of maritime violence in Mecklenburg and Pomerania are. That's why the legends surrounding Störtebeker are so exciting for an exhibition in the city and a seminar at the university," says Gregor Rohmann, describing the relevance of the project.
The seminar also focused on didactic reflection: how can such an exhibition project be used as a model for working with school classes or in museums? Julian Max Wahle, who took care of the press work in the seminar, says: "There is a surprising amount to consider when preparing an exhibition. Many aspects can certainly also be adopted for projects at school so that they become formative memories for the pupils."
In this context, the students also worked together with Geschichtswerkstatt Rostock e.V., which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has been running the Kröpeliner Tor for 20 years and has already implemented numerous projects with pupils and teachers.
The exhibition "Störtebeker in Rostock. Were there pirates in Mecklenburg and Pomerania?" complements the special exhibition "Pirates. Myth and Reality" at the Rostock Maritime Museum in Schmarl.
The exhibition can be seen until November 2, 2025 in the Kröpeliner Tor, which is open daily (except on public holidays) from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission costs €3 for adults and €2 for concessions. On selected days, students from the University of Rostock offer guided tours
