A few weeks ago, I met up with @aModernDandy, and we had a good natter - we share many interests.
One thing that came up was the frustrating idea that Germany is *terrible* at telling the world the stories of its history.
No, hear me out. /1
One thing that came up was the frustrating idea that Germany is *terrible* at telling the world the stories of its history.
No, hear me out. /1
Germany's *great* at remembering its recent past. I think it's done an admirable job coming to terms with its 20th century & expressing it in a way that visitors can understand.
The message is succinct & clear: the fall to murderous tyranny can happen quickly - never again. /2
The message is succinct & clear: the fall to murderous tyranny can happen quickly - never again. /2
Instead, where it seems to fall down is in presenting the many true, verifiable and engaging stories of thousands of years in a way that captures tourists.
I'm not talking about the stylised view of the Middle Ages that places like Rottenburg Ob Der Tauber play on either. /3
I'm not talking about the stylised view of the Middle Ages that places like Rottenburg Ob Der Tauber play on either. /3
The history of Germany is the history of movement, of ideas and of negotiating a vision of society.
Roman, Alemannic, Frankish and centuries of other arrivals developed the modern picture of Germany that we share. /4
Roman, Alemannic, Frankish and centuries of other arrivals developed the modern picture of Germany that we share. /4
It almost seems as if Germans think that non-Germans won't care, unless a castle or fortress is involved.
We do! We care! The stories we uncover as we explore, blow our minds!
Heritage organizations in Germany really need to look at English Heritage & the National Trust. /5
We do! We care! The stories we uncover as we explore, blow our minds!
Heritage organizations in Germany really need to look at English Heritage & the National Trust. /5
Both of these organizations are *fantastic* at picking individual narratives, the stories of real people, and using them to bring visitors through the doors of their properties.
You leave feeling as if you've connected in a very real way. /6
You leave feeling as if you've connected in a very real way. /6
I'd love for my state - Baden-Württemberg - for example, to highlight Duke Carl Eugen or Götz von Berlichingen, use their stories in campaigns selling the region to the world.
Their lives are fascinating, and touch on universal themes of power and freedom! /7
Their lives are fascinating, and touch on universal themes of power and freedom! /7
I've just been reminded by my wife that German history is absolutely full of incredibly strong women.
Why not bring in outsiders with the story of Hildegard von Bingen, Sophia of Hannover or Rosa Luxemburg? /8
Why not bring in outsiders with the story of Hildegard von Bingen, Sophia of Hannover or Rosa Luxemburg? /8
The point is - why keep their stories to yourselves, Germany? Put them out there, make it present in the eyes of international visitors, turn that interest into revenue!
You've got Roman fortifications that make Hadrian's Wall look like a picket fence, yet people are unaware! /9
You've got Roman fortifications that make Hadrian's Wall look like a picket fence, yet people are unaware! /9
SHARE YOUR HISTORY, GERMANY! Your beautiful, strange, weird, problematic history! Wow us with your incredible past!
It's criminal the things I've literally had to trip over to find!
Ok, rant over. /FIN
It's criminal the things I've literally had to trip over to find!
Ok, rant over. /FIN
