Annemarie Cordes
*29 July 1951 ꝉ 22 May 2023
"Was it courage? Or maybe it was something much simpler: sometimes you just have to start without knowing where the journey will lead". With these sentences ends Annemarie Cordes' account of the founding evening of the Kreisau-Initiative association on 10 November 1989, when, in the spirit of change and vibrant excitement following the fall of the Berlin Wall, people from West Berlin and East Berlin who were interested in the Kreisau Circle met for the first time. Annemarie Cordes enthusiastically followed the spirit of the period. She trusted in the beginnings and, together with a group of like-minded people, decided to turn the idea of establishing a European educational and meeting place in Krzyżowa into a reality. The result was almost 35 years of social activity, a lifetime project.
Annemarie Cordes was a founding member of the German Kreisau-Initiative association, which she chaired for more than 20 years. She was one of the co-founders of the Krzyzowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, established in 1990, and was active in its international bodies for decades. The establishment of the first Berlin 'Liaison Office at the Krzyzowa Foundation' in 2001 initiated the development of the Kreisau-Initiative association, which is now a Europe-wide recognised organisation offering international youth exchanges. In 2004, Annemarie Cordes played a key role in founding the Freya von Moltke Foundation for Krzyzowa and accompanied its development to the end. With her courage in initiating activities, tireless commitment and steadfast perseverance, she has left her mark on the network of organisations around Krzyzowa. In 2016, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Telling history in a way that not only allows historical facts to be heard, but also takes into account individual experiences, was an important issue for Annemarie Cordes. It is therefore no coincidence that her curiosity about the perspectives of the women of the Kreisau Circle, who were still unknown at the time, was the starting point of her involvement. In the 1980s, she vigorously adapted the concept of oral history in educational activities at the Berlin youth education centre 'Haus Kreisau'. In retrospect, a conversation with Marion Yorck von Wartenburg, Clarita von Trott zu Solz, Rosemarie Reichwein and Margarete von Trotha in 1985 was a key moment, followed by the first contact with Freya von Moltke in 1986. Further meetings followed within an initially still invisible network, from which the Krzyzowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe emerged a few years later.
In discussions about the direction of educational activities at Krzyzowa, Annemarie Cordes had a clear voice and a clear position stemming from her convictions: for her, Krzyzowa was first and foremost a grassroots democratic project that came about through the joint efforts of people from both German states, Poland, the Netherlands and the USA. When being overwhelmed by everyday matters threatened to shift our internal compass, she reminded us of this identity as an NGO and its roots in the historical heritage of the Krzyzowa Circle. At the same time, she was curious to see how the younger generation would fill the concept of 'European understanding' with life. She closely followed the diverse development of our educational activities on historical-political themes, human rights, socio-ecological transformation and inclusion.
Annemarie Cordes drew the strength for her involvement from personal encounters and relationships. For her, Krzyzowa always meant working with close friends, with people she personally valued. She built bridges between generations, passed on knowledge, experience and contacts. Personal conversations at conferences, general assemblies, gatherings of Krzyzowa friends at Whitsundays or simply at her kitchen table gave her great pleasure. In this way, she confidently passed on responsibility to the next generation and encouraged others to get involved.
Annemarie Cordes passed away in Berlin on 22 May 2023. We have lost a friend and companion, a mentor and critical advisor, a witness to history and an astute observer. We still feel connected to her and remember her with gratitude.
Members of the boards, management and staff of the organisations connected with the Krzyzowa: the Kreisau-Initiative e. V., the Krzyzowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe and the Freya von Moltke Foundation for Krzyzowa.
