Opening of the NAL in Giessen: A place of remembrance and dialogue!

Opening of the NAL in Giessen: A place of remembrance and dialogue!

An important chapter in history was recently inaugurated in Giessen: the official opening of the Meisenbornweg place of learning and remembrance. On the occasion of an “open day” numerous visitors were able to visit the new institution and get an idea of ​​the permanent exhibition. This exhibition contains a wealth of material, including contemporary witness reports, documents, photos and videos, that address the history of flight and expulsion in Germany. Loud Giessen General The learning location is seen as an opportunity and enrichment for the city, especially with regard to the history of the emergency room (NAL) in Giessen.

The stories not only enrich the exhibition: Ute Scholz, a contemporary witness, remembered her arrival at the NAL in 1990 and the challenges she left behind when she left the SED regime. Their fate reflects the experiences of many who lived through the NAL. Against this background, the support of volunteers comes into play: Matthias Leschhorn, a former pastor, has set up a group of volunteers who actively support refugees and integrate their voices into the exhibition.

Educational offers and workshops

However, the museum should not only be a place of remembrance, but also have an educational character. Numerous workshops are planned, aimed at students of all ages. Nicola Roether, the educational director, will present the comprehensive educational program to the teachers in the Gießen community center on March 24, 2025. In two-part offers, the concept of the permanent exhibition is explained and the history of the NAL is deepened. This also includes dealing with the fate of displaced persons and asylum seekers, a topic that is still of great importance in German post-war history Federal Agency for Civic Education determines.

As part of the workshops, classic guided tours are planned, which are adapted to the different grade levels and are linked to the schools' educational plans. The teachers can prepare themselves for a comprehensive analysis of the SED dictatorship and its effects, which also deals with the integration of refugees and displaced persons into German society.

Reflections and future challenges

The opening of the Meisenbornweg place of learning and remembrance comes in a context in which the issue of flight and expulsion is increasingly becoming the focus of society. Since the end of the Second World War, Giessen has established itself as a “place of longing” for many people from East Germany. Dr. Florian Greiner, the managing director of the NAL, emphasized the central role of the dialogue between the former GDR and today's generations. He emphasized that only by imparting knowledge about these difficult chapters of history can people be inspired to recognize totalitarian structures and prevent future developments.

Given the social challenges we face today, the work of the NAL and the associated examination of history is more important than ever. It raises questions that extend to the present and shape German post-war history. The place of learning and remembrance is therefore a lively place of dialogue and learning that can help to learn from the past and shape a common future.