The HEARTBREAKING Fate of Lavinia Schulz & Walter Holdt

A unique couple meets in 1920s Germany and falls in love. Their relationship is fiery, but they become famous dancers, dazzling audiences in Germany…
Yet their commitment to their art will lead them both to a heartbreaking tragedy.
I’m Peter Laws, and tonight, I present Tears on the Dancefloor: The Tragic Love and Heartbreaking Fate of Lavinia Schulz and Walter Holdt.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes a discussion of depression and suicide.
Core Sources:
janreetze.blogspot.com/2010/1...
‘Empire of Ecstasy: Nudity and Movement in German Body Culture, 1910-1935’ by Karl Toepfer UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, 1997.
clasebcn.com/tips/lavinia-sch...

[@jared1870]

Thank you for sharing once again two people I never knew about. Their lives resonate with me, I can relate to Walter's depression and Lavinia's fear of people stealing her work, because it does happen. Thanks once again.

[@Lisafer15]

Suffering for your art rings true been there myself. Life is an art project and this couple like many other creative types live a life that is almost preformed like an opera.

[@moonspirit6555]

Such a sad story. Two people so connected in their love of one and other and their art, they carried on until they both reached rock bottom and their poor baby left an orphan. Thank you Peter, love your storytelling.

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

Thank you! I'm so glad this resonated with you.

[@arthurshort6619]

My feelings on this story are so mixed. I simultaneously love these people for their carefree, whimsical creativity and love for each other, and hate them for shamelessly throwing away their lives and talents in the end. It's so strange to have such an intense reaction to people who died so long before I was even born. I probably have no right to make these types of assumptions about them, I just can't help how I feel 🤷‍♂️

[@adriennewalker1715]

Utterly tragic, but also infinitely touching.

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

Yes. Well put, Adrienne.

[@wrichard11]

It's a very sad story but I wonder if they would have seen it as a tragedy? I suppose so at the very end. They might have seen their lives as a triumph. I wonder also if the museum saw what was coming and deliberately hid the costumes without cataloguing them. They must have been asked about decadent art.

[@angharadbarry3660]

So utterly sad and such a shame that the museum doesn't put their information up so they can be credited for their work. Did you find out why their parents didn't intervene and help them?

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

I didn't, I'm afraid. But that's a very good question. I have a feeling that their determination to offer art 'for free' may have been difficult to challenge or penetrate, so I wonder if their parents gave up trying. But that's just speculation. Thanks for watching.

[@carolescutt2257]

So well and valanced you sir are a marvel for the eyes and ears bravo lavinis and walter xx

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

Wow, Carole, thank you. You're very kind. I'm not sure if you know already, but I also have another channel called Frightful. Thanks for your kind words.

[@HanktheWonderDog]

A tragic climax- but the fireworks before, what lives they led. They dared to bring everything they felt and saw into a world-accepting-view, for two misfits that is quite a feat. Incredible story, thank you for bringing it to our attention- very well told.

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

Thank you so much for watching this, and for taking the time to comment. The video only has 15 views, so it means a lot to think someone out there connected with the story. If you want more videos from me, I also have another channel @FrightfulPodcast...though the stories on that are scary. Thanks again for being so kind.

[@user-bw4cn6xy2n]

THANK YOU PETER! I have been on a worm hole with your KZbin vids since i found them last night, both this and frightful. i have your first novel here ready to read, from my local library, not knowing til just now that you're the author. Looking forward to your spotify podcasts and intrigued by the creepy cove community church idea.... Please, please keep these coming, its right up my street 🙏👌

[@OurCuriousPastPodcast]

Oh wow! Thank you for exploring my stuff. And I'm delighted you're trying my first novel. Apologies for the delay in reply...I kind of forgot that Our Curious Past comments don't come up on my Frightful dashboard. So I'm just catching up with some, today. Thank you for your kind words.