The fate of Soviet prisoners of war in Germany has not been cleared sufficiently until today. And this despite the fact that Soviet prisoners of war – together with European Jews – are among the largest groups of victims of the Nazi dictatorship. In order to finally deal with this part of German history, the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Authority commissioned a feasibility study for the design of the “Stalag 326” memorial site in autumn 2019. The scope of the feasibility study ranges from an analysis on visitor potential to the operating concept. It comprises the narrative and design concept of the exhibition, including a volume study in four versions, as well as marketing strategies, cost analysis and a time- and measures plan. 

“Stalag 326” is located in the district of Gütersloh near Bielefeld and presumably was the largest camp for prisoners of war from the Soviet Union. It was a transit camp and distribution station for forced labour in the “Wehrkreis VI” and beyond. The starting point of the thematic concept is the guiding narrative “The camp is made everywhere”. This narrative emphasises the function of the camp as a detention system that was beneficial to the entire German society, the mining industry, industrial and handicraft enterprises, agriculture as well as authorities and even the church, who employed prisoners. The focus of the memorial is therefore not the camp as a closed system, but rather on the institutionalisation and its effect on and connections to society.

This memorial of international importance aims to trigger honest communication, initiate exchange and debate, and to particularly appeal to younger people.

Feasibility Study

ATELIER BRÜCKNER

Marketing Concept Education with

Klett MINT GmbH

Visitor Potential Analysis, Marketing Strategies, Operational Consultancy with

Kulturgold