Initiative
Since 2017 the DPI has been advocating the establishment of a commemorative site in Berlin dedicated to Poland’s victims of World War Two, and it lent its support to a corresponding citizens’ initiative. This proposed site was to be linked with an exhibition on German-Polish history and a broad range of activities in the field of education and exchange. Since 2020 the two institutions have worked together effectively to formulate joint ideas on the project.
Bundestag resolution
On 9 October 2020 the German Bundestag voted to establish a centre for documentation, education and remembrance dedicated to the history of World War Two and the National Socialist occupation in Europe. The centre is to be developed under the auspices of the German Historical Museum. On 30 October 2020 the Bundestag passed the resolution: »A Forum for Remembrance and Exchange to Reflect the Attributes of German-Polish History and Contribute to Deepening the Special Bilateral Relationship«. After an extensive consultation process and a series of meetings with experts, in September 2021 the Federal Foreign Office presented its initial concept for a »Forum for Remembrance and Exchange with Poland« (Poland Forum for short).
Project start
After the Federal election in autumn 2021, responsibility for the Poland Forum was transferred from the Federal Foreign Office to the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. On 12 May 2022 the Commissioner gave the Memorial Foundation the task of further developing existing ideas in conjunction with the DPI. The Memorial Foundation operates in accordance with its legal mandate »to protect the memory of all victims of National Socialism and to honour it appropriately« (Law of 17 March 2000). The two institutions subsequently began to develop the concept for what was later renamed the German-Polish House.
Staff unit »German-Polish House«
In March 2023, a staff unit with two research assistants was set up at the Foundation Memorial. Since then, the project has been pursued as the »German-Polish House«. The staff unit is working on the design of the German-Polish House in cooperation with the DPI.
Realisation proposal
In collaboration with experts, primarily from Germany and Poland, the staff unit has written the realisation proposal for the German-Polish House. It lays the foundations in terms of content and organisation on the way to and for the German-Polish House.
This was forwarded to the BKM in spring 2024. It was adopted by the Federal Cabinet on 26 June 2024. It is part of the »German-Polish Action Plan«, which was presented during the German-Polish government consultations on 2 July 2024.
The realisation proposal forms the basis for a future Bundestag resolution to establish the German-Polish House.
»House without a place«
Even before the German-Polish House is founded and opened, events and campaigns on German-Polish topics are organised under the motto »House without a place«. These are thematically orientated around the three pillars »Commemorate - Encounter - Understand«. You can find out more on the website.