Julia Kuhnt: The new archive manager brings a breath of fresh air to Cuxhaven!

Julia Kuhnt: The new archive manager brings a breath of fresh air to Cuxhaven!

There is a new head at the head of the district archives in Cuxhaven: Julia Kuhnt took over the management nine months ago and is the successor to Dr. Axel Behne, who has gone into his well-deserved retirement. Kuhnt not only brings a breath of fresh air, but also in-depth experience, as she has been active in the district archives team since the late 1990s. Its task is to further develop the archive and the Crane House Museum and to make the treasures of the past 600 years accessible to the public. She pays particular attention to the digitization of historical documents.

Digitization is not only a key topic for Kuhnt, but also a key challenge for archives across the country. According to the Federal Archives, all relevant archives from the National Socialist era should be digitized by 2033. Comprehensive projects are planned that include files, films, photographs and other materials to make recent history accessible and promote a better understanding of this period. At the moment, particular attention is being paid to the years 1933 to 1938, in which the foundations of the regime crystallized. Kuhnt also plans to use her exhibition on National Socialism and right-wing extremism to contribute to addressing this complex issue and to sensitize young people to these stories.

Commitment to history

Julia Kuhnt's interest in history arose in elementary school, and she has pursued this in her professional career. She completed an advanced course in history and completed a dual degree in archives and administration. This gives it the necessary tools to strengthen the district archive's external presentation and to inform the public about the holdings.

Collaboration with schools is particularly important to Kuhnt. Planned activities such as lectures and holiday pass promotions are intended to inspire the younger generation about the history of the Cuxland region. At a time when history is often perceived as dry and boring, she has made it her mission to pass on this fascination.

Collaboration in focus

The archive stores a large number of historical and more recent documents from the offices and municipalities. A challenge for work in Cuxhaven is the acceptance rate of documents, which is currently five to ten percent. Although this corresponds to the archival standard, it also shows how important it is to intensify cooperation with the municipalities. Kuhnt plans to optimize and network emergency management. She emphasizes that cooperation with other departments in the theme year “Promotion of Democracy and Culture of Remembrance” is of central importance.

Julia Kuhnt's diverse commitment to the district archive is supported by developments at national and international levels. The responsible handling of digitized content was recently discussed at an event on the digitization of historical holdings. Experts from different countries discussed the challenges and opportunities that digitalization brings, especially with regard to problematic content from the Nazi era. Such expert opinions can provide valuable inspiration for the work in the district archive and can therefore also be important for Kuhnt's projects.

With a clear focus on the past, but also a look to the future, Julia Kuhnt makes it clear: the history of the Cuxland is not just an archive, but a living story that is worth telling. She has already thought up numerous activities to achieve this goal and will certainly have a good hand at keeping history alive and accessible.

You can find out more about digitization topics and the challenges of working with various memory institutions in the reports Federal Archives and on the conference platform H-Soz cult.