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Friedrich Nietzsche was raised having five women around him - his mother, grandmother, two aunts and a sister, all living together. His father, a Lutheran pastor, died when Nietzsche was 5 years old. After a Catholic school he studied music and Greco-Roman culture at the famous Schulpfora from 1858-1864, continued at the universities of Bonn, Leipzig and Basel, where he was a professor of classic philology for 12 years. His influences were: classic history, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and Jesus Christ, whom he called "Superman".

His main books are "The Gay Science", "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", "Beyond Good and Evil", "Twilight of the Idols" and the radical "Antichrist". Nietzsche analyzed foundations of values and morality through transformations of human nature and society. His contention that traditional values, religion and God, are not working in the modernized world, led to his conceptual statement: "God is dead." In replacement of God comes his concept of a superman - a rational, secure and highly independent individual. He lists Jesus, Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Goethe and Napoleon as models or prototypes of a superman. His idealistic superman was often misinterpreted as a role for a dictator in a totalitarian society. Nitzsche's goal for this concept was mainly individualistic because of his despise of any crowd and attention to him. He considered any crowd as a main source of lies and manipulations. According to Nietzsche it is the independence that allows a superman to be truly original and creative.

His sarcastic humor and contradictory ideas, often misunderstood in metaphysical context, caused misinterpretations of his personality and his works. His nihilism resulted from frustrations in search of meaning. For self-liberation Nietzsche terminated his German citizenship and remained a stateless person for the rest of his life. He distanced himself from Richard Wagner being repelled by the banality of the Bayreuth shows and the baseness of the crowd. He suffered from migraine headaches and from shortsightedness to the degree of blindness that caused his retirement from University of Basel. After he saw a brutal beating of a horse on a street, Nitzsche had a mental breakdown at age 44, and he retreated into solitude as a self-defense from crowds and manipulations. He lived with his mother and sister until his death of pneumonia in 1900. Most researchers regard his breakdown as irrelevant to his works. He received postmortem recognition by existentialists and by 20th century postmodern philosophers.

Nietzsche's idea of a day in a life repeating itself again, and again, and again was written at the end of the Book IV of "The Gay Science" (1887). It is used in the film 'Groundhog Day (1993)'.

Nietzsche listed laughter and humor as vital qualities of being a superman. He only failed to add a superwoman on his list of models to make it really serious.

Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born on 28 August 1749 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany as son of a lawyer. After growing up in a privileged upper middle class family, he studied law in Leipzig from 1765 to 1768, although he was more interested in literature. As he was seriously ill, he had to interrupt his studies, but finally graduated in Strassburg with a degree in law. In the following years, his novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774) became one of the first bestsellers, making him a key author in the "Sturm und Drang" (Storm and Stress) movement. In 1775, he settled down in Weimar, being the Duke's adviser and writing popular dramas such as "Egmont" or "Torquato Tasso". One of his life's important milestones was the Italian Journey from 1786 and 1788, where he discovered his interest in Greek and Roman classicism. After his return to Germany, he began the "Weimar Classicism" movement with his good friend Friedrich Schiller, concentrating on poems and dramas such as his best known work "Faust", which he published in two parts (1808/1832). Beside his literary work, he contributed many interesting theories to sciences, making him Germany's leading polymath in that period. On 22 March 1832, he died in Weimar, the town he had lived for more than fifty years.

Friedrich Schiller was born on Nov. 10, 1759, in Marbach, Germany. His father was an army doctor. Growing up in a very poor environment, Schiller eventually managed to get the support of a wealthy duke that enabled him to study medicine. He served as a military doctor first, but through the efforts of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe he finally went to Jena and Weimar, where he died on the May 9, 1805.

Schiller is an important German author of his time, most famous for his stage plays. They were highly acclaimed--and mostly forbidden, because of their contents. His first big work, "Die Räuber", dealt with the revolt of sons against their parents and environment, a very modern topic for the time and one that was not accepted in many regions of Germany. Overall, though, he is underrated as an author due to the fact that he lived and wrote in the same time as Goethe: Schiller is considered to be a good writer, but not as brilliant as Goethe.

Inge von Wangenheim was born on 1 July 1912 in Berlin, Germany. She was an actress and director, known for Der Auftrag Höglers (1950), The Struggle (1936) and Und wieder 48 (1948). She was married to Gustav von Wangenheim. She died on 6 April 1993 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Hans Lucke was born on 25 April 1927 in Dresden, Germany. He was an actor and writer, known for Sommerwege (1960), Die Leute von Züderow (1985) and Urlaub ohne Dich (1961). He was married to Irina Lucke-Kaminiarz. He died on 27 August 2017 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Christa Lehmann was born on 30 March 1921 in Berlin, Germany. She was an actress, known for Unterwegs nach Atlantis (1977), Du und ich und Klein-Paris (1971) and Die Verlobte (1980). She died on 18 October 1992 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Christoph Martin Wieland, a famous German author of the literary enlightenment, was born in Oberholzheim, now Biberach, in South Germany. After education in several schools, mainly religious, he moved to Switzerland as the assistant of Bodmer, another famous author. After short stays again in Biberach and as a professor on the university of Erfurt he went to Weimar, where the duchess, Anna Amalia, assembled many of the greatest thinkers of her time, beside Wieland for example Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich von Schiller. Wieland died 1813 in Weimar. Wieland is best known for his novels, which established the genre in German literature. Beside these he wrote many epic poems, translated a lot of foreign literature into German and was the editor of the "Merkur", the leading magazine of his time.

Alfred Bohl was born on 8 January 1909 in Münsterberg, Lower Silesia, Germany [now Ziebice, Dolnoslaskie, Poland]. He was an actor, known for Ernst Thälmann - Sohn seiner Klasse (1954) and Drei von der K (1969). He died on 25 December 1989 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Auguste Prasch-Grevenberg was born on 22 August 1854 in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. She was an actress, known for Die Buddenbrooks (1923), Die Heilige und ihr Narr (1928) and Der Geier von St. Veit (1917). She died on 14 December 1945 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Fred Graeve was born on 7 April 1933 in Bochum, Germany. He was an actor, known for Naked Among Wolves (1963), Rocník 21 (1958) and Lotte in Weimar (1975). He was married to Christa. He died on 12 February 2020 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Karl Koch was born on 2 August 1897 in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. He was married to Ilse Koch and Marie Sophie Elisabeth Josephine Margarethe Katharina Müller. He died on 5 April 1945 in Buchenwald, Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Wolfgang Held was born on 12 July 1930 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany. He was a writer, known for Anflug Alpha I (1971), Flucht ins Schweigen (1966) and Zeit zu leben (1969). He died on 17 September 2014 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Harry Thürk was born on 8 March 1927 in Zülz, Silesia, Germany [now Biala, Opolskie, Poland]. He was a writer and actor, known for Streng geheim (1963), Haus im Feuer (1960) and Das Tal der sieben Monde (1967). He died on 24 November 2005 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Rosemarie Deibel was born on 11 March 1936 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany. She was an actress, known for Am Ende der Welt (1975), Schultze Gets the Blues (2003) and Die Hollies (2003). She died on 17 July 2012 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Martha Beschort-Diez was born on 21 June 1902 in Göttingen, Province of Hanover, Prussia [now Lower Saxony], Germany. She was an actress, known for Castles and Cottages (1957), SAS 181 Does Not Reply (1959) and Wo Du hin gehst... (1957). She was married to Fritz Diez. She died on 12 September 1981 in Weimar, German Democratic Republic [now Thuringia, Germany].

Dietmar Durand was born in 1956 in Hildburghausen, Germany. He was an actor, known for Halbwertszeit (2012), Police Call 110 (1971) and Die Geschichte Mitteldeutschlands (1999). He died on 17 November 2014 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Manfred Heine was born on 25 August 1932 in Weimar, Germany. He was an actor, known for König Drosselbart (1965), Der Prinz hinter den sieben Meeren (1982) and Stülpner-Legende (1973). He was married to Helga Ziaja. He died on 28 March 2019 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Walter Stranka was born on 30 January 1920. Walter was a writer, known for Die Stunde der Töchter (1981), Bettina von Arnim (1972) and Jagdgesellschaft (1966). Walter died on 7 February 1992 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Robert Benoist was born on 20 March 1895 in Auffargis, France. He died on 12 September 1944 in Buchenwald, Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Ivan Ivanji was born on 24 January 1929 in Zrenjanin, Vojvodina, Serbia, Yugoslavia. He was a writer and actor, known for Izgubljeni raj (1964), Ajkula neznog srca (1964) and Sudjenje Bertoltu Brehtu (1973). He died on 9 May 2024 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Margarete Taudte was born on 12 November 1920 in Jena, Thuringia, Germany. She was an actress, known for Thomas Müntzer (1956), Johnny Belinda (1960) and The Gleiwitz Case (1961). She was married to Otto Roland. She died on 20 September 2009 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Eckermann attended school irregularly between 1799 and 1808. He moved around with his father as a peddler. On his hikes he was impressed by the nature of the Lüneburg Heath, the Vierlande and the Elbmarsch. The mother worked as a wool spinner and seamstress. Eckermann grew up in poor circumstances. Because of his talent for drawing, Eckermann was supported and received private lessons in French, Latin and music. In 1808 he became an official clerk in Winsen and then moved to Lüneburg in 1810, a year later to Uelzen and in 1812 and 1813 to Bevensen. In 1813 he took part as a volunteer in the wars of liberation against France. In Flanders and Brabant he came into contact with Dutch painting, for which he was enthusiastic. After the war he moved to Hanover to become a painting student with the painter Rambach. But illness thwarted the plan. There in Hanover he instead worked as a registrar in the military administration, and he pursued his literary interests.

He read the works of Friedrich Schiller, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and Theodor Körner. And he started writing poetry himself. From 1815 he attended high school. Eckermann was impressed by Goethe's poems. In 1819 he became engaged to Johanna Betram from Northeim. In 1821 he began studying law in Göttingen, which was made possible with the support of patrons from Hanover. Shortly after switching to philology, the scholarship failed to materialize and Eckermann moved to Empelde in 1822. There he dedicated himself to writing poetry as a freelance writer. His work "Contributions to Poetry with Special Reference to Goethe" was published. The work later gave him access to Goethe. In May 1823, Goethe and his colleague Riemer received the work. Goethe reacted favorably to the work. Eckermann traveled to Weimar and was received by Goethe. Johann Peter Eckermann immediately received an order from him, which was followed by others.

Eckermann's "Contributions to Poetry" were printed by Cotta at Goethe's instigation. Eckermann stayed in Weimar and near Goethe. Even an offer from the international literary magazine "European Review" could not lure him away and thereby potentially initiate his own literary career. Goethe's commissions remained without payment. Eckermann gave lessons and did other work to earn his living. Among other things, he taught the future Grand Duke Carl Alexander from 1829 to 1835. In November 1825, due to Goethe's efforts, Eckermann received an honorary doctorate from the philosophy faculty at Jena University. In 1826, trips to Bleckede/Elbe, Hamburg, Stade and Hanover followed. In 1830 Eckermann made a trip to Italy with Goethe's son August. In 1831 he married his long-time fiancée, Johanna Betram. On March 26, 1834, their son Johann Friedrich Wolfgang was born. Shortly afterwards, Johanna Eckermann died. Son Karl later became a painter. Goethe commissioned Eckermann to organize and publish his letters and poems.

Together with his colleague Riemer, he was appointed in his will as administrator and editor of the literary estate. Eckermann wrote "Conversations with Goethe in the last years of his life". The now famous work covers the period from 1823 to 1832, during which Eckermann had conversations with his role model. Eckermann intended this work to create a literary work of art. During his lifetime, Goethe did not give him permission to have the work printed, even though it would have helped the author out of his difficult economic situation. They were only published in 1836 and give posterity an impressive picture of the poet prince in everyday life. Even his appointment as court councilor in 1843 did not improve his financial situation. The following year he had to flee Weimar because of his heavy debts. The Weimar court paid Eckermann's debts, so he returned there in May 1846. Nevertheless, the donations were only enough to support a poor existence in the residential city of Weimar. In addition to poverty, his declining health also bothered him. From 1836 onwards he repeatedly went on recreational trips or went on spa stays, for example in Hamburg, Heligoland or Norderney.

Johann Peter Eckermann died on December 3, 1854 in Weimar. He was buried next to the prince's crypt, which housed the remains of Goethe and Schiller.

Fritz Bennewitz was born on 20 January 1926 in Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany. He was a director, known for Die Ratten (1962), Schule der Frauen (1965) and Der Regenwettermann (1963). He died on 13 September 1995 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Benjamin Crémieux was born on 1 December 1888 in Narbonne, Aude, France. He was a writer, known for Henri IV (1961) and La vie que je t'ai donnée (1961). He was married to Marianne Françoise Regazzacci-Stephanopoli. He died on 14 April 1944 in Buchenwald, Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.

Josef Dischner was born on 26 September 1872 in Karlsruhe, Germany. He was an actor, known for Eskimo (1930), Die schwarze Schachdame (1922) and Die Radio Heirat (1924). He died on 30 December 1949 in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany.