When a region or a city celebrates an anniversary, it is always a moment to pause and remember. This is what we want to do with this book. Sometimes very personal, in other texts historically animated. 650 years is definitely a long time – and Krefeld can look back on 650 years of history in 2023. Nobody knows what we will experience in the next 650 years. Nor what future generations will write about the city of Krefeld. Perhaps this little book may help preserve some personal things. We would be pleased.