QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

German Emigration Center, Bremerhaven

Architecture and design Emigration and immigration require two things: hope and courage, the courage to do without. The architecture of the German Emigration Center reflects these two qualities. The wood planked upper level, an angular block, fits into the soft basic oval, exposed concrete design of the main building. The two elements appear to be opposing poles, yet they are inseparably connected to each other. The soaring concrete wings emphasize the opposite aspects of migration and represent a stylized waving handkerchief, a symbol synonymous with bidding farewell but at the same time evoking the hope of seeing one another again.

Contributing to the DAH Perhaps your family has hidden ‘treasures’ in boxes up in an attic or in a basement corner or even in old suitcases. When homes or apartments are cleared, such objects or documents are often heedlessly thrown away. DAH would love to have them and the story that goes with them. Objects like these will receive a place in the German Emigration Center’s collection and exhibition: • your emigration story or the emigration story of your ancestors, • photos (from the emigrant’s native country and new home), • travel documents, • personal documents (such as letters, postcards, diaries, journals), • documents (such as passports, certificates of naturalization, ID papers) and • personal memorabilia (eg, the contents of hand luggage, a brooch, a carved pipe). It is important that prospective donors are willing to bestow these objects to the German Emigration Center. To find out more, visit the website and look for the ‘Collection & Research’ link.

dah-bremerhaven.de

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