STATEMENT OF MISSION
INTERNATIONAL PLACE IN EIFEL NATIONAL PARK
Preamble
The former "Ordensburg Vogelsang" in the Eifel was established by the National Socialist regime to serve as an education camp or literally, "castle". Vogelsang is a symbol of one of the primary ideological objectives of National Socialism, namely forming, by means of education and indoctrination, a "new German people" in terms of the National Socialist "racial" ideal. After the Second World War, the premises were integrated into the "Camp Vogelsang" military training area, used by British and Belgian Forces, and subsequently enlarged by new military buildings. On 1 January, 2006, the site was opened to the general public. Today, the former training ground forms part of the Eifel National Park, and the complex of buildings, which comprises some 100 hectares, will be improved for future civilian uses.
Thanks to the fact that the complex is situated in the heart of the park in a landmark position on a hill, it is an ideal location for establishing the Eifel National Park Centre. Its characteristic features in combination with the dimensions and historical relevance of the ensemble, which is under preservation order, are both an obligation and an opportunity. Vogelsang deliberately and explicitly distances itself from all ideological and indoctrinatory elements of its past. It focuses on a comprehensive educational approach committed to promoting the values of democracy and human rights, and thus plays an active part in upholding memory both in Germany and abroad. Considering that Vogelsang is a very special conversion project, there is an urgent need to adequately and sensitively deal with its history, architecture and environment.
Against that background, the following guidelines have been established for the future development and use of Vogelsang:
GUIDELINES
Vogelsang regards itself as a partner of the Eifel-Ardennes Region. Its future lies in raising its profile as a destination for tourism and education with an international orientation. Vogelsang will be developed into the hub of the Eifel National Park, and as such will offer ample opportunities for recreation and for experiencing and enjoying nature. Furthermore, the centre will provide a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities which contrast sharply with its initial uses. The three key topics, "History and Society", "The Region and Europe", and "Nature and Sustainability", will yield numerous ideas and suggestions and encourage reflection, individual expression and dialogue.
Future construction and programme activities need to be conceived and carried out taking a judicious approach to the history of Vogelsang and making a clean break with the totalitarian objectives of its initial establishment, and shall therefore be based on the following guidelines: Responsibility: Vogelsang is a place where social responsibility is deliberately accepted. Everything that is done here shall be characterised by a sense of responsibility towards history, compatible with the objectives of the National Park, and in keeping with Vogelsang's monumental intentions.
Openness: Vogelsang sees itself as a hospitable place, a place that shows tolerance and openness towards people from the region and from all cultures around the world. In this context, barrier-free access - in every respect - will be indispensable.
Experience: The responsible presentation of the topics, based on a trinity of history, nature and the region, is designed to impart holistic experience, thus enabling visitors to gain personal insights into their attitude towards those topics.
Education: The idea of Vogelsang as a place for education derives from the centre's social responsibility. Innovative and experimental approaches will be taken with regard to the provision of a wide range of future-oriented educational opportunities, which will be based on research and scientific methods.
Networking: Vogelsang, owing to its symbolic significance and scope, will be an active centre for networking both people and activities at all levels. Vogelsang engages in and promotes exchanges with other centres and institutions.
Architecture: The centre's striking and individual architecture, which sensitively responds to the specific character of the place, puts the ideas of Vogelsang into concrete shape and creates identification.
That approach to realising the potential and implementing the guidelines of Vogelsang is first and foremost reflected in the planned exhibition and education centre which is intended as an international meeting place, especially for young people and families.
The development and future uses of Vogelsang are geared towards achieving lasting economic viability on the basis of a suitable and efficient combination of public funding and private sector commitment.
All future uses of the site will be measured against their attitude towards the guidelines that have been established for Vogelsang and the objectives for the development of the Eifel National Park. Under the copyrighted trademark, "vogelsang ip ®", Vogelsang will be developed into an international meeting place in the Eifel National Park.
Established by the supervisory board, Aufsichtsrat der Standortentwicklungsgesellschaft Vogelsang GmbH,
Vogelsang, 2007, May 22nd
