Reminder concept
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"Remembrance concept for the history of the German Colonial School in Witzenhausen - federally funded project starts in spring 2025"
The Universities of Kassel and Saarbrücken are launching a joint project to develop an information and remembrance concept on the history of the former German Colonial School (DKS) in Witzenhausen.
The project, which will run until December 2026, examines the colonial heritage of Witzenhausen, which was shaped by the German Colonial School for Agriculture, Trade and Commerce (DKS) between 1898 and 1944, and also looks at the development of its successor institutions. The project is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) following a decision by the Bundestag. The initiative was launched by Awet Tesfaiesus, Member of the Bundestag for the Werra-Meißner district. The aim is to develop a place of remembrance in Research that conveys historical knowledge against the backdrop of current issues and debates and offers space for critical reflection and exchange.
As part of the project, information services are to be developed for various target groups. The guiding principle is to impart knowledge about German colonial history and its consequences based on selected historical sources. The aim is to promote a critical awareness of historical inequalities between the Global South and the Global North. A particular focus is on globally networked agriculture. In addition, the location offers the potential to reflect in a complex way on the links between German colonial history and anti-Semitism and National Socialism - a topic that is highly relevant to society in view of current anti-democratic and authoritarian political tendencies.
The idea arose from a student initiative in 2017, which dealt with the history of today's Department of Ecological Agricultural Sciences (FB 11) at the University of Kassel in an agricultural history seminar. Parts of the campus are located on the grounds and in the buildings of the former DKS. Its successor institution, the German Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL), has managed the property since 1957. The project also ties in with the "Witzenhausen and Colonialism" series of events, which most recently initiated the rededication of the memorial stone in the monastery courtyard on November 9, 2024.
In addition to the historical and scientific reappraisal, the project is designed as a participatory undertaking. Local stakeholders, artists and civil society will be actively involved in order to promote a critical and multi-perspective debate. The process is understood as an opportunity for dialog in which impulses, suggestions and criticism from society can be taken up and integrated.
On 11 March 2025 at 19:00, project manager Dr. Birgit Metzger and coordinator Johnny Ibraimo will present the project to the Witzenhausen Urban Development Committee in the town hall.