House of European History

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House of European History
Eastman Building (2011)
Eastman Building in 2011
Data
place Brussels , Belgium
Art
History museum
architect Atelier Chaix & Morel et Associés , Paris, JSWD Architects , Cologne, and TPF Group, Brussels
opening May 6, 2017
operator
European Union
Website
[1]

The House of European History is based on an initiative of the European Parliament . As a cultural institution and museum, it should use all available means - starting with a permanent exhibition as well as temporary and traveling exhibitions, through a collection of objects and documents that stand for European history, to educational programs, cultural events and publications as well as diverse online content - work towards a better understanding of European history and integration. It is located in the European Quarter in Brussels , in close proximity to the European Parliament. German art historian Constanze Itzel is in charge .

The creation of the project

In his inaugural speech as President of the European Parliament , Hans-Gert Pöttering (CDU) first put forward the idea of ​​building a House of European History on February 13, 2007. In October 2008, a committee of experts headed by Hans Walter Hütter , President of the House of History Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented a report entitled “Conceptual foundations for a House of European History”, which laid down the general concept and content and designed the institutional framework. The main aim of the House of European History should be "to deepen the knowledge of Europeans of all generations about their own history and thus contribute to a better understanding of the development of Europe in the present and future."

In June 2009, the Presidium of Parliament decided to convert the former Eastman Dental Clinic into the future museum, and in July an international architecture competition was launched. The winners were announced on March 31, 2011: Chaix & Morel et associeés from France, JSWD Architects from Germany and TPF from Belgium were commissioned to renovate and expand the building. Supported by a scientific advisory board made up of internationally renowned experts chaired by Włodzimierz Borodziej , an interdisciplinary team of experts under the leadership of the Slovenian historian and curator Taja Vovk van Gaal was set up within the European Parliament's Directorate-General for Communication to prepare the content of the exhibitions to shape the future facility.

Concept and content of the house in Brussels

The first concept

The first concept was drawn up in 2008 by a committee of experts under the direction of the German Hans Walter Hütter, a member of both the Scientific Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees of the House of European History. The Committee of Experts consisted of other scientists from all over Europe: Włodzimierz Borodziej (Poland), Giorgio Cracco (Italy), Michel Dumoulin (Belgium), Marie-Hélène Joly (France), Matti Klinge (Finland), Ronald de Leeuw (Netherlands) , António Reis (Portugal) and Mária Schmidt (Hungary).

The Polish historian Wlodzimierz Borodziej spoke of a modern and attractive museum: it should become a place of remembrance that reports on people's daily lives and the cultural history of Europe. Furthermore, the House should not emphasize the great deeds of individuals, although the most important ones for European history from Robert Schuman to Jean Monnet should be mentioned with praise. According to him, the concept is not geared towards representing the sum of national history, but rather to work out European commonalities. This important point underpins the meaning of the project further in an attempt to reaffirm a European sense of unity in order to further strengthen the European identity .

The first attempt to design such a history house was made in the mid-1990s, when the project failed due to protests, disagreements, lack of money, as well as a lack of political will and different ideas about a suitable location. The concept at that time wanted the history of Europe to begin with Charlemagne . Some protested against this, especially the Greeks, according to whom the representation of the history of Europe should begin in ancient Athens. It was not until the second attempt in 2008 that it was agreed to focus on the 20th century and thus on the modern history of European unification.

Conceptual basics

Inside view of the House of European History

The precise content of the House of European History was designed by an interdisciplinary project team made up of experts and historians from all over Europe under the direction of the Slovenian historian and curator Taja Vovk van Gaal. She presented the concept plan in a lecture in July 2011: Subject areas should be determined which relate to the high degree of integration in Europe and to the specifics of European history. Vovk van Gaal also set out three criteria that these typical European developments, events and processes must meet:

  • It should be about events and developments that have a European origin.
  • It should be about political developments and decisions that have affected people across Europe.
  • All chosen topics should still be relevant to Europe.

These criteria and focal points form the new concept of the permanent exhibition, which opened in Brussels in May 2017.

Further details on the design of the exhibition can be found on the homepage of the European Parliament: The focus should be on the visitor. The design of the house is implemented in such a way that it meets the expectations of people with differentiated historical knowledge. Every visitor should have the opportunity to explore the house for themselves, and extensive educational and cultural programs are also planned. But not only the visitor should be able to benefit, but also the cooperation within and outside Europe between the various institutions, networks and committees at local, national and international level is in the foreground. One goal is to develop the House of European History into an integral part of the cultural landscape in Europe. At the same time, the aim of this project is to create a fusion between partner institutions and thus to achieve closer cooperation on a common European culture of remembrance .

Three periodic sections

The conceptual basis of the expert committee (2008) comprised 116 points, which serve as a basis here. The thematic focus is primarily on history from 1945 onwards and European integration . The entire thematic block shows three successive major phases. The first part covers approximately the period 1800 to 1914, the second part the years 1914 to 1945 and the third and largest part the period from 1945 to 2010. These three chapters are intended to show which specific events and developments the respective phases of the European Have shaped history. Marcel Siepmann worked out the three phases precisely in a text on the creation of the House of European History. On closer inspection, there are even four points: the first three deal with European history up to 2010, the fourth point still includes questions, considerations and comments with regard to the outlook and the future of Europe. Points 1 to 26 put general goals and principles of the house in front.

Part I - points 27 to 50

The first part of the concept extends from antiquity to around the year 1920. Under points 27 to 50, the origins and developments of Europe are dealt with in broad outline before 1800. The first forms of European cultures developed in the course of trade in the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The long Turkish supremacy in the Black Sea regions also had a major impact on European history. Colonization and migratory movements are picked up as major drivers of European history which caused migration through overpopulation. The Greco-Roman area with its highly developed cultures is also mentioned as a major influencing factor for European culture, which has significantly shaped the philosophical and literary development of European culture. It continues with the Renaissance in the 16th century and the new information medium “book”. The relatinization of the French and Romance languages ​​is taken up, with Latin playing an important role in the university and school systems and the Catholic Church. The next section deals with the Middle Ages and the monasteries that were important in social and cultural life. The division of people into the classes of the clergy , the bourgeoisie, the peasantry and the nobility is presented as a further important development. With the rapid progress of science up to the 18th century, the century of the Enlightenment , a new understanding of the people arose. A critical understanding as well as freedom of expression and conscience developed, which changed the social system.

For the period from 1800 in the course of the industrial revolution , reference is made to the enormous increase in the urban population, primarily in the capital cities. The idea of ​​a social security system as well as the formation of trade unions and the modernization of production were further important steps in European history. The 19th century was an era of liberal and national emancipation with increasing involvement and participation of citizens in political areas. At the end of this first conceptual section, the First World War is dealt with, a destructive war that affected all of Europe. The League of Nations founded in 1920 became the forerunner of the United Nations, which concludes the first part with point 50 of the concept.

Part II - points 51 to 68

The second part extends from 1917 to 1945, the emphasis is predominantly on the classical political history, whereby the line of the storytelling runs chronologically. Beginning with point 51, this part deals with the emergence of an “alternative society plan” and begins with the “East-West” conflict. The integration of the divided states under their respective ideologies forms the historical setting for the subsequent differentiation in terms of content. The interwar period finally ends with topics from Hitler's seizure of power, the Spanish Civil War and the double attack on Poland in 1939. The war phase is described as an extremely aggressive period, both with regard to the Soviet Union and the Nazi dictatorship.

III. Part - points 69 to 112

The third part received the largest space in comparison. Topics are the successful European integration since 1945 and the overcoming of war and hereditary enmities of earlier centuries. The first section deals with the course set by the Allies at the end of the world war. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the founding of the United Nations follow. Examples of failed nationalism and the fall of the Nazi dictatorship are a deterrent. The democratization desired by the Western Allies and the penetration of the conquered territories on the side of the Soviet Union emphasize the beginning of the division between East and West. Then famous European figures also appear in the concept, including Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi , Monnet and Adenauer. With the division, the focus follows on different developments in the east and in the west. While the construction of the Wall in 1961 further emphasized the division of the eastern and western spheres, the Franco-German policy on Europe became the focus of further integration. With the 1970s, the change in values ​​within society became clear, which was also a basis for the emergence of ecologically oriented parties. Finally, up to 1989, the transformation process in southern Europe is discussed under point 98 and the escalation of the Cold War under points 101 to 103.

The last section deals with the key events from 1989 to the turn of the millennium. The fall of the Berlin Wall is described as a world political event and a beacon for the future. The armed conflicts in the Balkans during the 1990s are another topic. September 11, 2001 represents a new world political chapter in the concept with regard to the attacks by militant Islamists on the USA. In addition, the other attacks in Madrid and London are being picked up, which bring closer the fact that Europe is also being targeted by Islamist terrorists. Finally, there is a deeper insight into the integration efforts, such as the introduction of the euro, the Maastricht Treaty and the year 2004 with the admission of ten other nations to the European Union.

Enough

The concept ends with questions about the European future, an outlook and possible questions for future visitors. Here the borders of Europe are described as largely open, as well as the future enlargement of the EU, the European social model, the demographic factor and the future foreign policy of Europe. Points 114 to 116 raise the question of why the EU cannot arouse any real enthusiasm among the member states, when the enlargement of the EU will end and whether the EU is developing into a federation, a confederation or a federal state.

Structure and sights

Grenades from the First World War, some artificially processed by soldiers, and a historical picture of a grenade workshop

In the House of European History, visitors are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with historical processes and events in Europe and to reflect critically on what these processes mean for the present. An exhibition, documentation and information center has been created in which the processes and events are classified in a broader historical and critical context and the contrasting experiences of Europeans in the course of history are brought together and juxtaposed. It is characterized by its endeavor to offer a transnational overview of European history, taking into account its diversity as well as its interpretations and perceptions. The aim is to convey recent history to a wide audience in the context of past centuries that shaped ideas and values. In this way the House aims to stimulate discussion and debate on Europe and the European Union .

With an available space of around 8000 m², the permanent exhibition is the heart of the House of European History. Using various media, a journey through the history of Europe, primarily that of the 20th century, is proposed with the help of objects and documents, with retrospectives on developments and events from earlier epochs with particular consequences for the entire continent. The history of European integration in its uniqueness and complexity is illustrated.

The current structure of the exhibition is divided into six thematic sections, which have further differentiated the above concept. They can be found on floors II to VI of the house.

  • “The design of Europe” with Europe on maps, Europe myth, heritage, memory
  • “Europe as a world power” with social processes predominantly in the 19th century
  • "Europe in rubble and ashes" with the First World War, the interwar period and the Second World War, as well as the Holocaust
  • “Reconstruction of a divided continent” after 1945 and European unification
  • “Shaken certainties” from the beginning of the 1970s to the present day, further milestones in European unification
  • “Praise and criticism” with Europe from outside and assessments of the EU.

On the first floor there is space for a temporary exhibition , e.g. B. aktuell (2019) on "Youth on the move".

The house is visitor-friendly and is open to everyone, in accordance with Parliament's principles of accessibility. To this end, it offers its main offering in at least the 24 languages ​​that are the official language of the European Union at the time of opening . Multilingualism is understood as an expression of the cultural diversity in Europe, and the "House of European History" would like to present its multilingual offer to its visitors as one of its main advantages. The use of the tablets was often considered complicated.

Debates

In 2011 there was fundamental criticism of the concept from the British think tank Civitas. European history is based on diversity, there is no common history. Frank Furedi , a sociologist from Kent , said: “Instead of the real Europe we are likely to get an institution devoted to the celebration of empty values ​​like 'diversity', 'difference' and 'sustainability'”. In addition, the estimated costs have already doubled.

After the opening in 2017, the house was particularly criticized from Poland. In the round of European heads of government, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized the museum; in September 2017, Culture Minister Piotr Gliński wrote to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani that the House of European History was “not worth bearing this name and that it is under the auspices of the European Parliament to stand ". Germany appears to be the greatest victim of the Second World War, and communism puts the museum “in a positive context”. The role of Christianity is described as “selective and negative”, Pope John Paul II is not mentioned at all and the history of the Polish nation is shortened. "It seems as if the portrayal of religion and the idea of ​​the nation as the root of all evil in the history of our continent is an expression of an ideological, left-wing sentiment on the part of the exhibition organizers." The Platform of European Memory and Conscience followed with similar criticism in November 2017. The critics simply overlooked some things. The leader Itzel admitted deficits among the Sinti and Roma as well as the communist dictatorships, which were being dealt with.

Accommodation of the museum

Originally designed to house a dental clinic, the Eastman building was named after George Eastman , the American philanthropist and inventor of the Kodak camera. His generous donations enabled the establishment of dental treatment centers in New York , London , Rome , Paris , Brussels and Stockholm ; Disadvantaged children receive free dental treatment.

In 1933, the Eastman Foundation approached the Swiss architect Michel Polak , who was known in Brussels for his Art Deco style , in particular for the famous Résidence Palace building, and commissioned him to design the new building. Inaugurated in 1935, the building is remarkable for both its construction and its Art Deco elements. In the former children's waiting room there is also a series of wall paintings by the painter Camille Barthélémy depicting the fables of La Fontaine.

The Leopoldpark with its historical buildings, z. B. the Pasteur Institute or the Solvay Library, was placed under monument protection in 1975 . The Eastman building itself is not a listed building. The dental clinic closed before being converted into offices for the European institutions in the 1980s.

Costs and financing

Costs arose in the development phase from 2011 to 2015: 31 million euros for the renovation and expansion of the building, 21.4 million euros for the permanent exhibition and the first temporary exhibitions (15.4 million euros for the redesign of the exhibition areas and other areas, 6 million euros for multilingualism ) and 3.75 million euros for building the collection. The costs were therefore considerably higher than planned.

The development costs are borne by the European Parliament, while the operating costs are co-financed by the European Commission , whose President has declared his willingness to participate.

Implementation and management of the project

Created on the initiative of the European Parliament, various structures are available for the institutional implementation of the House of European History.

The Board of Trustees , chaired in 2019 by the former President of the European Parliament , Hans-Gert Pöttering , is a pluralistic body made up of high-ranking politicians from several European institutions and the Brussels authorities. The main political beliefs and main bodies of Parliament are represented in it. The Board of Trustees oversees the administration of the project.

The 13-person board of trustees (2019) includes Hans Walter Hütter, Miguel Ángel Martínez Martínez (Vice), Étienne Davignon , Gérard Onesta , Tibor Navracsics , Petra Kammerevert , Jean Arthuis , Algirdas Saudargas , Rudi Vervoort , Diana Wallis and Francis Wurtz .

The Scientific Advisory Board, which has been chaired by the Austrian historian Oliver Rathkolb since 2019 and in which historians and experts from internationally renowned museums are represented, has an observing and advisory role on questions of history and museological transcription.

The 21-member scientific advisory board includes (2019) Basil Kerski (Vice), Wolfgang Schmale , Andreas Wirsching , Dietmar Preißler , Sharon MacDonald , John Erik Fossum , Louis Godart , Constantin Iordachi , Matti Klinge , Emmanuelle Loyer , Anita Meinarte , Hélène Miard- Delacroix , Mary Michailidou , Luuk van Middelaar , Daniela Preda , Mária Schmidt , Kaja Širok , Jean-Pierre Verdier and Danièle Wagener .

literature

  • Andrea Mork, Perikles Christodoulou (Ed.): Creating the House of European History . Luxembourg 2018.
  • Włodzimierz Borodziej: The House of European History - a memory concept with the courage to leave gaps . In: Volkhard Knigge u. a. (Ed.), Work on European memory. Experience of dictatorship and development of democracy . Cologne u. a. 2011, p. 139-146 .
  • Taja Vovk van Gaal, Christine Dupont: The House of European History [2] In: Bodil Axelsson et al. (eds.), Entering the Minefields: the Creation of New History Museums in Europe . Linköping 2012, p. 43-53 .
  • Andrea Mork: Presentation of the House of European History [3] European Remembrance . Gdańsk 2012.
  • Marcel Siepmann: A House of European History is being set up . In: History in Science and Education . tape 63 , no. 11-12 / 2012 . Erhard Friedrich Verlag, 2012, ISSN  0016-9056 , p. 690-704 .
  • Taja Vovk van Gaal, Constanze Itzel: The House of European History project in Brussels . In: Włodzimierz Borodziej / Joachim von Puttkamer (eds.), Europe and its east. Historical and cultural challenges . Munich 2012, p. 75-80 .
  • Andrea Mork: After Nationalism, Dictatorship and War - Building Blocks of a European History of Democracy. The House of European History . In: Thomas Hertfelder u. a. (Ed.), Remembering Democracy in Germany. History of democracy in museums and memorials in the Federal Republic . Göttingen 2016, p. 37-56 .
  • Martí Grau Segú: Proposing a New European Narrative: The House of European History Project . In: Jordi Guixé i Coromines (ed.), Past and Power: Public Policies on Memory. Debates, from Global to Local . Barcelona 2016, p. 57-73 .
  • Andrea Mork: Constructing the House of European History . In: Edgar Wolfrum et al. (eds.), European Commemoration: Locating World War I . Stuttgart 2016, p. 218-235 .
  • Andreas Fickers: A compromise story, served on the »tablet«. The House of European History in Brussels . In: Zeithistorische Forschungen 15 (2018), pp. 173–183.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ European Parliament opens House of European History on May 6, 20170, European Parliament, May 4, 2017
  2. ^ Foundation House of History of the Federal Republic of Germany - Organization , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  3. ↑ a b Committee of Experts, House of European History - Conceptual Foundations for a House of European History , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  4. ↑ http://www.chaixetmorel.com/en/cat/2/
  5. ↑ http://www.jswd-architekten.de/
  6. ↑ http://tpf.eu/projects/the-house-of-european-history/
  7. ↑ http://www.communication-director.com/author/taja-vovk-van-gaal
  8. ↑ a b Structure of the House of European History , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  9. ↑ The cornerstone of an EU history policy? Stefan Troebst The museum project “House of European History” in Brussels , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  10. ^ House of European History , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  11. ^ House of European History - Permanent Exhibition , accessed on May 16, 2017.
  12. ^ Rewriting History. Civitas Institute for the study of civil society, 2011, accessed October 12, 2019 .
  13. ^ Mathias Krupa: Is this museum celebrating communism? In: The time. May 2, 2017, accessed October 12, 2019 .
  14. ^ Martin Maier SJ: Controversy about the house of European history. In: europeinfos. Bishops' Conferences of the EU, September 2018, accessed on 12 October 2019 .
  15. ↑ Nikolas Busse: Pride and Shame. In: FAZ.net . January 28, 2012, accessed October 13, 2018 .

Web links

Commons : House of European History  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 50 ° 50 ′ 18 ″  N , 4 ° 22 ′ 48 ″  E