German-American Institute Saarbrücken
The German-American Institute Saarbrücken e. V. (DAI) is a binational institution in Saarbrücken that promotes German-American relations through educational and informational work. With events on cultural, political and economic topics as well as an institute library, the DAI works on a partnership relationship between Germany and the USA and on a rational examination of the diversity of American culture, society, politics and economy. The institute has existed since 1957.
origin
The origin of the America Houses and the German-American Institutes in Germany goes back to the cultural and information work of the United States in post-war Germany. In the beginning it was libraries that were called “United States Information Center” as part of the reeducation and reorientation policy of the American occupiers, i.e. H. the United States Information Agency , in Germany. The centers should bring the Germans closer to American history, traditions and customs, combined with a firm understanding of democracy as a guide for the restart after the Second World War . In the course of time, the institutions expanded their offerings, so that exhibitions, lecture discussions and other events were added to the library offer.
history
The history of the DAI in Saarland differs from the history of other American cultural institutes due to the special situation in Saarland after the Second World War (Saarland only became part of the Federal Republic of Germany on January 1, 1957). The US did not establish a cultural presence in Saarland until twelve years after the end of the war. In February 1957, a branch of the America House in Kaiserslautern was established in Saarbrücken . This branch office opened its doors as the German-American library in October 1957 and offered a program that was specifically geared to the interests and situation in Saarland. Accordingly, the traditionally large proportion of industrial workers should be taken into account, as well as the Bundeswehr, which is being established in Saarland - the focus here was on imparting democratic values. In the course of time, an offer that included lectures, concerts, film screenings and theater performances established itself.
At the beginning of the 1960s there was a significant structural change, as the normalization of German-American relations and the consolidation of democracy resulted in a cut in American financial resources. As a result, binational institutions were created that were jointly financed by the German and American sides. This political turning point led to the establishment of the “German-American Institute Saarbrücken” in Saarbrücken. With the closure of the Amerika-Haus in Kaiserslautern in 1964, the competencies of the DAI were expanded, since the Saarbrücken Institute was now responsible for the care of the entire area, including the Palatinate (region) . Another restructuring took place in 1970, when the institute was registered as an association due to changes in US foreign work and was recognized as a non-profit organization in 1971 for the purpose of " international understanding and tolerance in all areas of culture".
deals
The DAI Saarbrücken organizes, supports and bundles events with an American background. These include individual lectures, panel discussions and seminars on social, political and cultural events and problems in the USA and Germany, as well as English discussion evenings, luncheon and dinner discussions, film evenings, information trips, concerts, theater performances and exhibitions.
In addition, the DAI has its own library that can be used free of charge. It contains over 1,000 reference works on politics, history, society and culture in the United States, as well as a range of magazines, newspapers, brochures, CD-ROMs and DVDs. About 95% of books, magazines and electronic media available for loan are in English. It is also possible to research databases on the above topics via WLAN or to use the free access to the eLibrary USA database.
The DAI homepage also offers the option of subscribing to a newsletter that provides information on events and offers. The DAI also offers an internship at the institute for students.
financing
The German-American Institute Saarbrücken is supported by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Saarland and the government of the USA . US support includes not only cash but also benefits in kind or the provision of speakers for events. In addition, the institute receives help from the city of Saarbrücken as a founding member and from various communities and personal sponsoring members.
management
The chairman (as of September 2015) of the association is Roman Bonnaire, head of the television program area, Saarland broadcasting company . As the successor to Hartmut H. Gimmler, Werner Kremp took over the management of the institute in 2011, and since November 2014 it has been under the direction of Bruno von Lutz.
See also
literature
- Wernet, Juliane. 2007. 50 years of the DAI Saarbrücken 1957–2007. A chronicle of German-American friendship.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ "Saarland Library Guide DAI" . Saarland website. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ↑ "Roman Bonnaire - Chairman DAI" ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Website of the Saarbrücker Zeitung. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
