NRW Foundation supports new Fritz Bauer Forum

PRESS RELEASE

Grant of up to 450,000 euros

Bochum: A new place of remembrance culture, research and dialogue is being built at the Freigrafendamm central cemetery in Bochum-Altenbochum. The NRW Foundation is supporting the BUXUS STIFTUNG gGmbH in establishing the “Fritz Bauer Forum – Center for Human Rights” with a grant of up to 450,000 euros. During a visit, Franz-Josef Lersch-Mense from the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Managing Director Stefan Ast presented the funding certificate to Dr. Irmtrud Wojak, Managing Director of the BUXUS STIFTUNG, on November 4, 2022.

Fritz Bauer’s commitment to democracy and human rights is to be commemorated on the grounds of the “Trauerhalle Ost” complex. The Fritz Bauer Library, dedicated to the former lawyer and Hessian Attorney General, will thereby be given a permanent place in the former Havkenscheid mourning hall, which is protected as a historic monument. “In addition to the preservation of listed buildings, the NRW Foundation is committed to promoting regional initiatives of remembrance culture in the area of homeland and cultural preservation. Both funding goals coincide in the establishment of the Fritz Bauer Forum. The commitment to democracy and human rights there is very important in view of the current political situation,” says Franz-Josef Lersch-Mense, explaining the Foundation’s funding decision.

Since its establishment in 1986, the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation has been able to support around 3,500 nature and cultural projects with a total of 300 million euros. It receives the money for this from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia from lottery proceeds from Westlotto, from membership fees of its sponsoring association and through donations. More information at www.nrw-stiftung.de and in the new podcast “Förderbande”.