Don’t Trust Public Parks*
Journalist and author Heinz Knobloch (March 3, 1926 – July 24, 2003) lived at this square for almost half a century.
His books “Herr Moses in Berlin” (Mr. Moses in Berlin), “Meine liebste Mathilde” (My Dearest Mathilde), and “Der beherzte Reviervorsteher” (The Courageous District Overseer) are important examples of his literary work. The characters he created were the inspiration behind multiple commemorative plaques in Berlin.
Heinz Knobloch was a long-time contributor to the magazine “Wochenpost” and a regular columnist for the series “Mit beiden Augen” (With Both Eyes Open). His article “Bei uns in Pankow” (Here in Pankow) created a literary monument to his place of residence, bringing important historical events, places, and people in his district to a wide readership.
On March 3, 2005, the memorial stone, with a relief created by the sculptor Gerhard Thieme, was unveiled, and the square was officially named Heinz-Knobloch-Platz. Since 2013, a BERLIN MEMORIAL PLAQUE commemorates Knobloch’s former home at Masurenstrasse 4.
*Knobloch’s most famous motto – also the title of a collection of his columns which was published in 1996 – reminds us that any public park might have once been a historically significant square or cemetery. With the disappearance of such places, traces of the past have also been erased.
Further information can be found at www.heinz-knobloch.de.
