Bochum: A new memorial research and meeting centre is being built at the Freigrafendamm Central Cemetery in Bochum-Altenbochum. The NRW Foundation is supporting the BUXUS STIFTUNG gGmbH in setting up the „Fritz Bauer Forum – Centre for Human Rights“ with a grant of up to 450,000 euros. During a visit on 4 November 2022, 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 BUXUS STIFTUNG.
Fritz Bauer’s commitment to democracy and human rights will be commemorated on the grounds of the „Trauerhalle Ost“ complex. The Fritz Bauer Library, dedicated to the former lawyer and Hessian Attorney General, will be given a permanent home in the listed former Havkenscheid mourning hall. „In addition to the preservation of listed buildings, the NRW-Stiftung is committed to promoting regional initiatives in the culture of remembrance in the area of local history and cultural preservation. Both funding objectives come together 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 decision to provide funding.
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, membership fees from its support organisation and donations. More information at www.nrw-stiftung.de and in the new podcast „Förderbande“.
