The Wetzel family's daring balloon escape
On the night of September 16, 1979, two families from Thuringia achieved something unique: they escaped to freedom in a home-made hot air balloon. After years of planning and a failed attempt three months earlier, the balloon took off at 2:32 a.m. in Heinersdorf at night. Eight people, four adults and four children, the Wetzel and Strelzyk families, crouched on a small platform, not knowing where the night wind would take them.
Suddenly the balloon catches fire. Everyone holds their breath, the flight is over before it has really begun. Peter Strelzyk bravely extinguishes the fire. They notice that there is a large hole in the balloon, which is made of umbrella silk and tent nylon. Nevertheless, the balloon rises higher and higher, almost three kilometers into the night sky. Due to the constant firing with gas caused by the leak in the balloon, they quickly run out of gas and the refugees have to land. At exactly 3:00 a.m., just 28 minutes after take-off, the balloon glides to the ground.
Have the families reached the saving West? They do not know. Only when the police approach do the families hear the redemptive words. They have landed in Geisa in the West and thus in freedom. The news of their daring escape goes around the world. This is followed by exclusive interviews, a Hollywood film, a book and a movie of the story by Bully Herbig.
The Wetzel family after the escape
Günther Wetzel, one of the balloon escapees, tells the story of the daring balloon flight. He reports on the years of planning, the execution and how the families fared after the flight.
Lecture with pictures on Friday, September 26 at 6 p.m.
Beforehand, at 4 p.m., there is the opportunity to take part in a guided tour
Registration is a prerequisite for participation in the event.
