Looking back. Looking ahead. 2020-2025

POLITICS AND SOCIETY | SPEECHES   167 Dear Mr Boueilh, Dear Mr Naor, Dear Mr Freller, Dear Dr Hammermann, Every year, the Dachau Memorial is visited by nearly one   million people from all over the world. You can all be proud of this impressive figure. It is a testament to your remarkable dedication and the excellent cooperation between the CID,   the Bavarian Memorial Foundation and everyone working here on site. Every year, almost 4,000 educational programmes are or- ganised in Dachau. These include various special exhibitions – most recently on the history of the early camps and the Dachau Trials – as well as seminars, digital guided tours and around 100 talks with contemporary witnesses. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you – to the members of the victims’ associations and to the entire memorial team. The Foundation and the Dachau Memorial have developed an extensive plan to renew the remembrance site: All exhibi- tions will be updated in line with the latest historical insights and educational methods. New exhibitions are also planned, including one on life in the barracks camp. And steps will be taken to incorporate new locations into the memorial, such as the so-called “herb garden” and the former commandant’s headquarters. Thank you for these ambitious and forward-looking initiatives. As Minister of Education and Chair of the Bavarian Memo- rial Foundation Council, I stand firmly beside you in all your endeavours. With 35 million euros provided by the Federal Government and the Free State of Bavaria, the redesign of the memorial can now move forward! The necessary process will be set in   motion next week when a coordination meeting is held   between everyone involved in the project. The first major stage will focus on the two prisoner barracks at the heart of the   memorial. I would like to congratulate everyone involved and wish you every success in planning and executing the project. Ladies and Gentlemen! As I look around the room today, I am filled with confidence: I see so many people who devote themselves to cultivating Dachau as a place of learning, to fostering a vibrant culture of remembrance, and to upholding our free and democratic constitutional order. With your support, we are able to educate young people in our country to grow into value-driven individuals who are aware of their own history and are willing to take responsibility, stand up for democracy and create a society shaped by mutual respect. Thank you very much for your commitment!