Příběhy německých podnikatelů v Opavě

Lecturer: Zdeněk Kravar (Opava Regional Archives)

Five stories of Opava business families: Habel, Kopschitz, Miláček, Skasik, and Stanke. The name of the Skasik seed company remains familiar to the people of Opava to this day, but the world-famous envelope manufacturer Bratři Miláčkové and the Kopschitz candle factory have fallen into obscurity, as have the names of wholesaler Raimund Habel and sewing machine manufacturer Stanke. Until 1945, these entrepreneurs contributed to Opava's renown. However, the tradition of their businesses began during the Austrian Empire and continued during the interwar and war periods. Listeners will learn about the history of individual companies, as well as the fates of their owners during and after the war. How did the events associated with the expulsion and subsequent confiscation affect functioning companies? Some continued their businesses in Germany, while the history of other companies came to an end after their original owners left Opava.