Spaces of Oppression: Making lost traces visible

Name: Spaces of Oppression: Making lost traces visible
Start: 2022-08-06
End: 2022-08-20
Location: Hanover, Germany

Germany Archaeology Culture Study Archaeology Culture +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles: Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

💼 What the programme involves

The ore mine Rammelsberg close to Goslar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For many centuries copper, silver and lead were mined here. During WW2 for this kind of work there were forced labourers mobilised which had to work under inhumane circumstances inside the mine and were accomodated in baracks on the premises. Among the labourers were a lot of young people who were just between 17 to 25 years old. Within the interdisciplinary research project "Spaces of Oppression" the living and working situation of the forced labourers will be analyzed. During this workcamp you will become the researchers yourself. You are going to help with archeological excavations which are intended to make the traces of the daily life of the forced labourers visible. The aim of the archeological excavations is to uncover the remainings of the barracks so it is possible to find various everyday items to reveal the living conditions and treatment of the forced labourers. Together with the historians of the museum you will analyze the written documents about the situation of the forced labourers which were made by the nazis. These are lists, index cards, plans and fotos. We need your German language skills here. The project aims to contribute to understand how a society based on the democratic structures of the Weimar Republic could turn into an inhuman, violant, totalitarian system in just a couple of years. The results of your work as well as of the research project will be published in the media (press, homepage, Facebook) and will play a role in the education and mediation work of the world heritage site Rammelsberg within future exhibitions, guided tours and presentations.

🏠 Accommodation on site

You cook together. Money for the food shopping is provided to you. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any allergies when registering. Accomodation: holiday apartment for 12 people in the town center of Goslar; 5 bedrooms with 12 beds (double beds), a large living/dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.

📍 About the location

The Harz Mountains with its mountains, stalactite caves, museums and forests is a popular excursion and recreation area. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Erzbergwerk Rammelsberg is one of the most popular destinations. Of course a guided tour underground will be organized for you. The surrounding area invites you to go hiking - nearby, in Hahnenklee, there is the "Liebesbankweg". The imperial palace built at the beginning of the 11th century and the historic old town of Goslar are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Modern craft traditions can be found in the Kunsthandwerkerhof and the Mönchehausmuseum presents art exhibitions of international standing. The project ends with a barbecue evening organized for you in an allotment garden.

⚠️ Requirements

Covid Rules (may change depending on the course of the pandemic): 2G+: Only vaccinated and recovered persons can register for the work camp. All participants must arrive with an official negative rapid test (not older than 24 hours) or PCR test (not older than 48 hours). On arrival, this and a vaccination or recovery certificate must be presented, and a self-rapid test must be carried out. Thereafter, the entire group must perform a rapid self-test at least every 72 hours. We will provide self-rapid tests for the arrival and the whole camp period! Subject to changes! You will receive more detailed information after confirming your registration and at least 3 weeks before the start of the camp with the specific info sheet for your camp.

ℹ️ Additional information

work can be physically demanding, The workcamp has an extensive study part and requires interest in the subject matter. - German language skills required

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.