Deutsche Gruppe day out - EL-DE HAUS

Welcome to EL-DE HAUS

I've waited since last week for this day to arrive...My first Deutsche Gruppe day out..yay2...but2 it's not like hoorey2 jom gi zoo negara kind of thing..It was more like jom mengunjung sambil belajar, membuat assigment sambil bergembira kind of thing...yeah assignment again..

What? Where? When? Why? How?

Thursday, 28th January 2010 - We visited the EL-DE HAUS accompanied by our lecturer, Herr Mainka.We had class earlier till 11.45am before heading to the EL-DE HAUS which is about 15 minutes walk from CDC building, the place where I'm studying right now.

Tengok ar sapa jalan cepat sorung2...penat nak kejar..

First of all, let me enlighten you all with a bit of information on the EL-DE HAUS.The building was actually the headquaters of the Cologne Gestapo (secret state police) for almost 10 years.Leopold Dahmen was the guy who had it built and as such the building was named after his name.The job of the Gestapo was to keep the population under surveillance and to persecute the political and "racial" opponents of the Nazi regime.The Gestapo were responsible for the deportation and murder of thousands of people.The World War left the building largely unscathed.Then in December 1981, the Gestapo Prison Memorial was opened.In 1988,the Cologne's Documentation Centre on National Socialism moved into the building.

Today, the building is a permanent centre for various exhibitions,with extensive up-to-date database and also a specialise library that is available to the public.The centre devote itself in commemorating the victims of National Socialism and also to research and exhibit the history of Cologne under the Nazis to the public.

Once arrived at the EL-DE HAUS,we were given a brief tour and reviews by Herr Mainka on the different sections in the building, starting with the memorial Gestapo Prison in the basement.First floor is where the library and permanent exhibiton are located.On second floor are the special exhibitions located where we were then divided into groups of three to start our assignment and explore each room.

Explanation through pictures and the caption under them.Enjoy...

Basement - The Gestapo Prison Memorial...scary tempat ni..one small cell was occupied by about 36 people..imagine that...claustrophobic terus...

Our own unofficial tour guide...Herr Mainka..

 While listening to his explanation

Nazi's typewriter...kalau zoom in u can see a sign on the number 5

 Woh2..birthday sapa la tu..owh dulu on this date,semua orang german kena makan benda sama for that day which is Eintopf (Stew).

Our assignment was to choose a room given by our lecturer and we have to work in groups of three to explain to the others what's the room that we have chosen is all about....

 Starting with the room Jugend ( Young People). Presentation by Shun Ling, Rumitha and Ina

This is my group's topic - Cologne: between power politic and everyday lifestyle.

Sambil buat presentation sambil posing..

Room ni xde group..Herr Mainka yg explain...

Group Muádz, Hakeem and Zhafran talking about Rassenpolitik - Racial politics "eliminate and generate"

 Group Ciko, Chang Win and Faizal .Topic: Racial exclusion and persecution

 The Sinti and Roma

 The fate of jews - Record of those who were murdered

 Presentation by Ng, Goh and Edwin on the topic : During the War.

Letters, drawings and writings on the wall are the main attraction of the cell.They were drawn with pencil or chalk or in some cases with lipstick or which had been carved in the walls using nails,screws or even fingernails.They record not only pain and sorrow of the prisoners but also their anger and resolve.

Such a great experience that I've gained from visiting this historical building.Wish we would have more Group outings to other interesting places.I know it's kinda boring to read this post.Wait till you hear what I'm gonna write on the next post...

CHOCOLATE MUSEUM!!!!Yeah babeyh...esok nak gi Schokolade Museum...I can't wait...till the next post...Tschüss und mach's gut