Author reading with Gila Freis

At the center of the story is the tale of an extraordinary woman from the 12th century: Jutta Claricia, a Swabian princess and half-sister of the later Emperor Barbarossa. Even at a young age, she takes on responsibility for a plundered castle and a starving land. While her surroundings are shaped by crusades, political power struggles, and profound upheavals, she grows into her role and shapes life in Thuringia with prudence, compassion, and inner strength. The author writes under the pseudonym Gila Freis. Behind this name is Dr. Heidi Freistedt, born in 1953 in Thuringia. For many years, she shaped the ASB Regional Association Barnim as its managing director and was instrumental in the establishment and development of the association. In Joachimsthal, she is also known as one of the co-initiators of the founding of the Free Gymnasium Joachimsthal. The event is aimed at all those interested in historical literature and vibrant history. It is funded by the Brandenburg Literary Council from resources of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Culture of the State of Brandenburg.