Gegen Mauern

About Gegen Mauern

Against Walls is an interactive graphic novel about four people who fell victim to Nazi justice – told by their families and interwoven with a playful quest for answers.

You receive a request from your fictional great-grandfather: He wants you to uncover the fates of the prisoners he encountered in incarceration. To find answers, you delve into the memories of their relatives. Each family recounts how National Socialism shaped their lives – the lasting impact of this pain. They all fight for remembrance and justice.

You accompany:
- Richard Trampenau, imprisoned for 12 years for political reasons
- Friedrich Zänkert, sentenced to death for theft
- Ernst Harloff, whose story was misremembered for decades
- Karl Jannack, recognized as a communist resistance fighter in East Germany
The app combines animated panels, original quotes, video interviews, and atmospheric sounds into an emotionally moving experience. As you read, you'll search for a hidden word in each image. You'll use these words at the end of each biography to complete your great-grandfather's documents—and gradually reveal the truth.

Here's what you can expect:

- True stories—compellingly told: Four biographies, developed in collaboration with the families.

- Moving video interviews: Relatives recount how the convictions shaped their lives.

- Animated graphic novel: Illustrated panels, smooth transitions, and sound design create an immersive reading experience.

- Playful scavenger hunt: Find hidden words, collect clues, fill in the blanks—and uncover what has been kept secret.

- A shared finale: After reading all four biographies, the story comes together in a moving outro.

Against Walls imparts knowledge, strengthens empathy, and makes history accessible and engaging in an innovative way. The project was funded from 2024 to 2025 within the educational agenda on Nazi injustice by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF).