The Documentation Center offers exhibitions, a library and a testimony archive, tours, workshops and events. The Center provides information about the causes, dimensions and consequences of displacement, expulsion and forced migration in the past and present. Particular focus is on the displacement and expulsion of the Germans from Central and Southeast Europe at the end of the Second World War.
Wars and armed conflicts continue to force millions to leave their homes every year. These people have to build a new life in a foreign country, often under adverse circumstances. The Documentation Center focuses on the causes that lead to displacement and expulsion and what this painful experience means for those affected.
The Permanent Exhibition concentrates on the approximately fourteen million Germans who were forced to flee or were deported and expelled during and after the Second World War. Their fate is described in the historical context of forced migration in Europe, especially during the twentieth century.
The Library & Testimony Archive offers the possibility to explore the lives and faiths of refugees and displaced persons. Special exhibitions and events complement our work and highlight further aspects of this topic, which remains highly relevant today.
Our institution sees itself as a place of historical learning and lively debate in the spirit of understanding and reconciliation. The Room of Stillness invites us to pause and reflect.
Our institution sees itself as a place of historical learning and lively debate in the spirit of understanding and reconciliation. The Room of Stillness invites us to pause and reflect.
History of the institution
- 2005: In the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD from November 2005, the three governing parties have committed themselves ‘to the social and historical reappraisal of forced migration, displacement and expulsion’. They resolve to establish a ‘visible sign’ in Berlin ‘to remind [...] of the injustice of expulsions and to outlaw expulsions forever’.
- 2008: In March 2008 the German government presents the concept for a ‘Visible Sign against Displacement and Expulsion’. On this basis, in December 2008 the German Bundestag passes the ‘Act to Establish a “Deutsches Historisches Museum” [German Historical Museum] Foundation’ (DHMG). In Section 2, the legislation regulates the establishment of the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation as a dependent foundation within the Deutsches Historisches Museum Foundation.
- 2009: The inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation takes place on 13 May 2009. At its meeting in July 2009, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation elects Prof Dr Manfred Kittel as Founding Director.
- 2010: The expanded Board of Trustees, chosen by the German Bundestag on 7 July 2010, convenes its inaugural meeting on 25 October 2010 under the chairmanship of Minister of State Bernd Neumann and unanimously embraces the ‘key issues for the work of the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation and the planned permanent exhibition’ as developed by the Foundation.
- 2011: After winning a competition, the firm Marte.Marte Architekten ZT GmbH (Weiler, Austria) is commissioned to convert the Deutschlandhaus building at Anhalter Bahnhof.
- 2012: At their meeting on 25 June 2012, the Board of Trustees adopts the expanded key-issues paper as a ‘conceptual framework for the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation and guidelines for the planned permanent exhibition’.
- 2013: On 11 June 2013 an event to mark the start of construction of the Documentation Center for the Foundation for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation takes place at Deutschlandhaus, attended by German Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Minister of State Bernd Neumann.
- 2014: On 15 December 2014 the Board of Trustees relieves Prof Dr Manfred Kittel from his duties.
- 2015: On 30 November 2015 the Board of Trustees appoints Uwe Neumärker as Interim Director of the Foundation.
- 2016: On 22 February 2016 Dr Gundula Bavendamm is elected by the Board of Trustees as the new Director, and she assumes office on 1 April 2016.
+ On 17 October 2016 the topping-out ceremony for the Documentation Center is celebrated. - 2017: On 20 June 2017 the Foundation releases the integrated concept for its future permanent exhibition. Previously to this, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the paper.
- 2018: On 28 June 2018 the Foundation releases a concept for the Documentation Center’s Library and Testimony Archive.
- 2019: In July 2019 the Foundation releases the Documentation Center’s concept for education & learning.
- 2020: On 9 June 2020 the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) officially hands over the keys to the Foundation.
In November 2020 the Foundation releases the Documentation Center’s concept for special exhibitions.
