Status: 15.09.2024 16:31
A new museum, the “Villa_”, which deals with the Nazi era, opened in Osnabrück on Sunday. The Villa Schlikker was used by the NSDAP as a regional party headquarters until 1945.
In recent years, the building was renovated with 1.7 million euros in federal support and converted into a museum. According to the Osnabrück Museum Quarter, it is intended to be a place of learning and to encourage people to think, including about the present. It is intended to show that nothing is simply black or white – but without a didactic finger-wagging, says Claudia Drecksträter from the Osnabrück Museum Quarter. Workshops will be offered for school classes and students, and readings and discussions are also planned.
Controversial lawyer Calmeyer at the centre of the exhibition
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The name for the new museum was discussed for a long time. The building was originally supposed to be named after the controversial Osnabrück lawyer Hans Georg Calmeyer. However, scientists and artists as well as the relatives of victims rejected this. On the one hand, it was said that the lawyer saved many Jews from deportation to concentration camps during the Nazi era. But as a senior employee of the German occupation authorities in The Hague in the Netherlands, he also sent many people to their deaths. That is why the Osnabrück city council decided on a different name: “The Villa_ Forum for Remembrance Culture and Contemporary History”. According to the city, Calmeyer still plays a central role in the exhibition, which portrays the lawyer’s ambivalence.
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NDR 1 Lower Saxony | Current | 15.09.2024 | 10:00 a.m.
– What critical themes does the Villa Schlikker museum address regarding the Nazi era and contemporary society?
Villa Schlikker: A New Museum in Osnabrück Confronts Nazi Era and Contemporary Issues
[Meta Description: Discover the Villa Schlikker, a museum in Osnabrück that explores the Nazi era and its relevance to contemporary society, promoting critical thinking and remembrance.]
[Header Tags: Nazi Era, Osnabrück, Museum, Villa Schlikker, Remembrance Culture, Contemporary History]
In the city of Osnabrück, Germany, a new museum has opened its doors to the public, shedding light on the complex and controversial aspects of the Nazi era. The Villa Schlikker, formerly a regional party headquarters of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers’ Party), has been transformed into a museum after a thorough renovation supported by 1.7 million euros in federal funding. This cultural institution aims to serve as a place of learning, encouraging visitors to think critically about the past and its implications for contemporary society.
From Nazi Headquarters to Museum
The Villa Schlikker, part of the Osnabrück Museum Quarter, has undergone a significant transformation to become a forum for remembrance culture and contemporary history. The museum’s founders aim to create an environment that fosters open discussion, workshops, and readings, without resorting to didacticism or finger-wagging. According to Claudia Drecksträter from the Osnabrück Museum Quarter, the objective is to demonstrate that historical events are rarely black and white, and that nuance is essential when exploring the past.
The Controversial Figure of Hans Georg Calmeyer
At the heart of the exhibition lies the complex figure of Hans Georg Calmeyer, an Osnabrück lawyer whose legacy has sparked intense debate. Calmeyer, who worked as a senior employee of the German occupation authorities in The Hague, Netherlands, during World War II, is credited with saving many Jews from deportation to concentration camps. However, he also bears responsibility for sending numerous individuals to their deaths. The Osnabrück city council ultimately decided against naming the museum after Calmeyer, opting instead for the more neutral title “The Villa_ Forum for Remembrance Culture and Contemporary History.” Nonetheless, Calmeyer’s ambivalence remains a central theme in the exhibition, inviting visitors to engage with the moral complexities of his actions.
Contextualizing the Nazi Era
Osnabrück, known as a “city of peace,” has deliberately situated the Villa Schlikker within the framework of its Museumsquartier, a complex of four buildings focused on the theme of peace. This context helps to underscore the relevance of the Nazi era to contemporary issues, emphasizing the importance of learning from history to build a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Confronting Right-Wing Extremism and Xenophobia
In today’s world, where xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism continue to pose significant threats, the Villa Schlikker serves as a vital reminder of the dangers of ideologies that promote hatred and discrimination. By confronting the darkest aspects of human history, the museum encourages visitors to reflect on their own biases and prejudices, fostering a more empathetic and tolerant society.
A Place of Learning and Remembrance
The Villa Schlikker is more than just a museum – it is a platform for critical thinking, education, and remembrance. By exploring the complexities of the Nazi era and its relevance to contemporary society, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and human rights. As a place of learning and remembrance, the Villa Schlikker is poised to become a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and peaceful world.
[Image captions: “Museum Quarter Osnabrück © Angela von Brill”, “A sticker from the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement lies in the grass. © dpa-Bildfunk Photo: Sebastian Gollnow”, “A woman and her children place tulips on a wall with the inscription…”]
[Internal linking: You can learn more about right-wing extremism and xenophobia in our article “Xenophobia, Anti-Semitism, and Racism: Understanding Right-Wing Extremism”.]
[Optimized keywords: Nazi era, Osnabrück, Villa Schlikker, museum, remembrance culture, contemporary history, Hans Georg Calmeyer, right-wing extremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, racism.]
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– What is the primary focus of the Villa Forum for Remembrance Culture and Contemporary History in Osnabrück?
New Museum in Osnabrück Explores the Nazi Era and Contemporary Society
A new museum, the “Villa Forum for Remembrance Culture and Contemporary History”, has opened in Osnabrück, Germany, focusing on the Nazi era and its relevance to modern society. The museum is housed in the former regional party headquarters of the NSDAP, which was renovated with 1.7 million euros in federal support.
Controversial Lawyer Calmeyer at the Centre of the Exhibition
The museum’s name was a subject of debate, with some proposing to name it after Hans Georg Calmeyer, a controversial Osnabrück lawyer who played a complex role during the Nazi era. While Calmeyer saved many Jews from deportation, he also sent many people to their deaths as a senior employee of the German occupation authorities in The Hague, Netherlands. The city council ultimately decided to name the museum “Villa” to reflect its broader focus on remembrance culture and contemporary history, although Calmeyer remains a central figure in the exhibition.
Addressing Critical Themes
The museum aims to provide a platform for learning, reflection, and discussion, encouraging visitors to think critically about the past and its relevance to contemporary society. Some of the critical themes addressed by the museum include:
- The Ambiguity of Human Behavior: Calmeyer’s story serves as a powerful example of the complexities of human behavior during times of crisis. His actions both saved and destroyed lives, highlighting the importance of nuanced understanding and moral accountability.
- The Danger of Extremism: The museum explores the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany during the Nazi era and its ongoing relevance today. Visitors can engage with the consequences of xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism, and reflect on the importance of promoting tolerance and inclusivity.
- Remembrance and Responsibility: By examining the Nazi era, the museum emphasizes the importance of remembrance and responsibility in shaping a better future. Visitors are encouraged to consider their own role in promoting social justice and combating prejudice.
- The Power of Education: Through workshops, readings, and discussions, the museum fosters a culture of critical thinking and open dialogue, highlighting the significance of education in promoting democratic values and human rights.
A Place of Learning and Reflection
The “Villa_” museum offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the complexities of the Nazi era and its ongoing relevance to contemporary society. By exploring critical themes and promoting education and reflection, the museum hopes to inspire a more informed and responsible citizenry.
Image Credits
Museum Quarter Osnabrück © Angela von Brill
A sticker from the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement lies in the grass. © dpa-Bildfunk Photo: Sebastian Gollnow
* A woman and her children place tulips on a wall with the inscription “Bergen-B
