"Until 1989, Treffurt lay in the restricted zone along the inner-German border to Hesse. The Werra valley, where the town was situated, was also in this zone. After 9 November, the trench near the border was filled to create a border crossing, which was first opened for pedestrians only, on 18 November 1989. Later, cars were allowed to use it, too. When the border was officially opened at eight o’clock in the morning, inhabitants from the towns and villages near the border arrived in droves. Egon Bahr, who was born in Treffurt, was one of the prominent guests that opened the border crossing. He was given a jubilant welcome and was the only person who – just for a laugh – had to show his passport.
In the midst of all the excitement, my wife and I were taken completely by surprise when a friendly woman from Treffurt spoke to us and invited us to her home. Once there, we also met her husband, fire-brigade chief Horst Meister, and their daughter. Over coffee and cake, we talked about life on this and that side of the border. A friendship gradually evolved that still exists today. And being a professional photographer and the owner of a little photography shop in Wanfried, I am particularly pleased when we meet, because their daughter is a hobby photographer."
Hans-Joachim Tuttfaß (Wanfried, born 1932)
(10 rankings) 
