The Lübeck
Manifesto
for Museums
Preamble
Our democracy is facing increasing challenges. In this situation, we aim to strengthen museums as trusted and vital institutions in our democratic society. That is why we jointly send a message against anti-democratic tendencies and clearly affirm our mission and our responsibility.
Museums listen to society and take its impulses seriously; the inviolability of human dignity is non-negotiable. They are places where even difficult issues can be openly discussed in order to support our democracy and find new pathways for the future. We stand for open-mindedness and a collaborative search for good solutions.
Our alliance through a common museum Manifesto also demonstrates our diversity. Each of us, in our own way, shows where we come from and what values guide our work.
This Manifesto gives us a common basis that each institution can fill with its own content and ideas.
7 Theses
1. Museums bear social responsibility and support our democracy.
2. Museums convey insights from the past to learn for the future.
3. Museums address the conflicts of society and encourage the exchange of diverse opinions.
4. Museums open spaces for the diversity of people and create opportunities for acquiring knowledge.
5. Museums inspire and invite people to experience together.
6. Museums co-operate in order to reach as many people as possible.
7. Museums are indispensable.
Supporters
· European Hansemuseum (initiated in April 2025)
· Lübecker Museen:
Buddenbrookhaus
Günter Grass-Haus
Industriemuseum Geschichtswerkstatt Herrenwyk
Katharinenkirche
Kunsthalle St. Annen
Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus
Museum Holstentor
Museum für Natur und Umwelt
Sammlung Kulturen der Welt
St. Annen-Museum
· KOLK 17 Figurentheater & Museum, Lübeck
· Willy-Brandt-Haus Lübeck
· Stadtmuseum Dresden
· QWB Lab, Vienna (Austria)
· Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf
· Mike Murawski, Portland, Oregon (USA)
Would you or your museum like to join the Lübeck Manifesto for Museums? Then simply fill out the form!
Together for the manifesto
These museums in Lübeck are calling for action with the “Lübeck Manifesto for Museums”. Statements from the first museums:
Dr. Felicia Sternfeld, European Hansemuseum:
“To mark our 10th anniversary, we have created this manifesto – not only as a sign of our commitment, but also as a clear acknowledgement of the social responsibility of museums. We are convinced that museums play an important role in the preservation of democracy and open dialogue. We would be delighted if many museums were to join this initiative.”
This article explains why museums must fight for democracy and is a situation report on repression from various countries around the world: “Hunting season opens. Museums between trust and threat” – an article by Dr. Felicia Sternfeld in Politik & Kultur 4/25 (in German).
Dr. Tilmann von Stockhausen, Lübecker Museen:
“A central aspect of our work is preserving and researching our cultural heritage. This task forms the basis for our commitment to social debate and the promotion of democratic values.”
Dr. Antonia Napp, KOLK 17 Figurentheater & Museum:
“KOLK 17 tells stories in a variety of ways and encourages dialogue. With our performances and exhibitions, we create spaces for encounters and social reflection – because democracy thrives on diversity and dialogue.”
Dr. Bettina Greiner, Willy-Brandt-Haus Lübeck:
“Democracy is our mission! As a non-partisan political memorial foundation, we want our work to help ensure that Willy Brandt’s political insights and visions remain alive in the future – and that means that we want to encourage people to act and support them in exercising their democratic rights and actively working for an open, united and just society.”
Participate now
Would you or your museum like to join the Lübeck Manifesto for Museums? Then simply fill out the form!
The values of the manifesto in the EHM
The European Hansemuseum is committed to the values of the Manifesto. We firmly believe that the role of museums goes far beyond preserving and narrating history. We are called upon to translate this heritage into use for society now and in the future.
In this spirit, the theses of the Manifesto reflect our main position: not only to make the legacy of the Hanse accessible, but also to derive insights from it.
The founding idea and the name of our museum consciously embody the European concept – a concept that has always been visible in the history of the Hanse through cross-border co-operation and the overcoming of barriers.
You can read here how the European Hansemuseum interprets and implements the 7 theses. The complete text is also available for download.
We reflect on current social issues: topics such as climate change and social justice are at the centre of our exhibitions, events and formats. We lead by example and critically examine our ecological footprint. We work to expand our climate handprint – developing strategies for sustainable action. In various formats and through active engagement, we promote the fundamental principles of democracy.
In our formats, we highlight what aspects of the past can be relevant today and what lessons we can learn for the future. We demonstrate that history provides orientation for both the present and the future. The Hanse offers numerous historical examples in which conflicts were resolved through co-operation and consensus – examples that can serve today as models for handling controversies constructively.
Through events, exhibitions, and discussion formats, we provide spaces for encounters and create temporary communities. Under the guiding motto “Conflict and Consensus” we inspire dialogues between different social groups, even encouraging constructive debates and the search for good solutions – ideally by consensus, but always within the framework of our democratic values.
We warmly welcome everyone and actively work to remove barriers. Our pricing has been adjusted so that even more people can visit free of charge. Access to many of our programmes is likewise free, ensuring that as many people as possible can participate. We value diversity as an enrichment and actively promote it, including within our staff.
Our exhibitions are designed to be lively and interactive. Our visitors can see, hear, touch, feel, and even smell. With special formats and interactive offers, both analogue and digital, we promote shared experiences and conversations among visitors for an inspiring experience.
We collaborate locally, nationally, and internationally with a wide variety of museums, educational institutions and research organisations. These partnerships enable us to foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices and to further strengthen the social relevance of museums. Our collaborations include joint research projects, exhibitions and educational initiatives.
We have an important mission: we present the history of the Hanse in a fact-based and scientifically researched manner. We create an environment in which we provide authentic and independent information that can be utilised for current issues. In doing so, we fulfil an important function: as centres for education and learning, we strengthen critical thinking.
