📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Contribute to the commemoration of the German war of extermination against the Soviet Union 80 years ago. Exchange ideas with young people from Ukraine, Russia and Germany on German-Soviet relations between 1933-1945 and beyond until today.
After its construction in 1937, Buchenwald concentration camp was one of the largest concentration camps of the Nazi era, with more than 278,000 inmates from over 50 countries. Thousands of people died here from hunger and disease, through hard labour and the violence of the guards, and on the marches at the end of the war.
Since 1990, international Work- and Studycamps have been held on the grounds of the former concentration camp (KZ) Buchenwald in cooperation with the local Youth Meeting and Education Centre (JBS).
💼 What the programme involves
Mainly on the former Weimar-Buchenwald railway line with stonemasonry work in memory of people deported to Auschwitz.
Dealing with found objects from the camp period, e.g. in the form of restoration work.
Documents research on individual fates.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The Buchenwald Youth Meeting Centre (JBS) uses two former SS barracks, which were used as a directorate building and a youth hostel during the GDR era. There are two-bed and multi-bed rooms (3/4 persons), a cosy sofa room, a large seminar room, barbecue facilities and table tennis. The stay in the group rooms as well as the meals will be in accordance with the current hygiene rules, which will be communicated to you in advance. The group will probably spend more time outdoors than indoors - take this into account for your travel clothing.
⚠️ Requirements
Volunteers should not be older than 27 years.
A good command of English is a prerequisite.
This Work- and Studycamp contains an extensive study component and therefore requires a great interest in historical and contemporary issues. The main principle is an open, tolerant and equally (self-)reflective approach to each other.
ℹ️ Additional information
Free time: Excursions e.g. to Weimar (Goethe Park, Goethe or Schiller House, swimming pool etc.) or to Erfurt independently at the weekend. Possibly visit the Work- and Studycamp at the Mittelbau-Dora Memorial near Nordhausen.
Please be advised that due to the corona pandemic and related measures, there may be changes. We ask you not to book your trip before we have informed you if your workcamp will take place at the planned location. We will let you know about this at least four weeks before it starts.