Hans Bentzien (1927–2015) was a German writer and politician who served as the culture minister of East Germany from 1961 to 1966. Being a member of the ruling party Socialist Unity Party (SED), he held several political and public posts in East Germany.

Early life and education

Bentzien was born in

Greifswald Greifswald (), officially the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald (german: Universitäts- und Hansestadt Greifswald, Low German: ''Griepswoold'') is the fourth-largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after Rosto ...

, Germany, on 4 January 1927. He became a member of the

Nazi Party The Nazi Party, officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party (german: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), was a far-right political party in Germany active between 1920 and 1945 that created and supported t ...

in 1944. He joined the German Army and fought in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. He was arrested by the British forces in 1945. Following his release he joined the SED in 1946. Bentzien graduated from the

University of Greifswald The University of Greifswald (; german: Universität Greifswald), formerly also known as “Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswald“, is a public research university located in Greifswald, Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pom ...

and the

University of Jena The University of Jena, officially the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (german: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, abbreviated FSU, shortened form ''Uni Jena''), is a public research university located in Jena, Thuringia, Germany. The un ...

obtaining a degree in history. He also studied history and social sciences in Moscow between 1955 and 1958.

Career

Bentzien worked as a teacher in his hometown between 1946 and 1948. He was assistant to the director of culture in VEB Carl Zeiss in Jena. Then he became the first secretary of the SED in Jena-Stadt and was the secretary for culture and popular education of the SED from 1954 to 1955. He served as the secretary for culture and education of the SED in Halle between 1958 and 1961. He was appointed culture minister in 1961, replacing

Alexander Abusch Alexander Abusch (14 February 1902 27 January 1982) was a German journalist, non-fiction writer, and politician. According to one source he was born into a Jewish family in Kraków, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, Austria-Hungary. Accordin ...

in the post. Bentzien was removed from office in January 1966 due to the alleged violation of the rules of the SED. The reason for his removal was the publication of several writings in ''Neue Deutsche Literatur'' (German: ''New German Literature'') which supported views opposite to the position of the SED. In the same move Kurt Turba, head of the youth commission at the Politburo of the SED's Central Committee, was also fired. Then Bentzien was made the publishing director of a publishing house, ''Neues Leben'', which he held between 1966 and 1975. In 1975 he was appointed deputy chairman of the state committee for television and served in the post until 1979 when he was dismissed. In the period between 1 December 1989 and 13 June 1990 he served as the television manager of East Germany. He was succeeded by Michael Albert in the post.

Work

Bentzien wrote several television plays and published some books on history.

Death

Bentzien died in

Bad Saarow Bad Saarow ( dsb, Zarow; 1950–2002: Bad Saarow-Pieskow) is a Municipalities of Germany, municipality in the Oder-Spree district, in Brandenburg, Germany. The place is known for its hot springs and for its mineral-rich mud. Their healing proper ...

, Germany, on 18 May 2015.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bentzien, Hans 20th-century German writers 1927 births 2015 deaths Government ministers of East Germany German Army personnel of World War II German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United Kingdom Socialist Unity Party of Germany politicians University of Greifswald alumni University of Jena alumni People from Greifswald Nazi Party members