To the Living Spirit. New University 2011+
Press Release No. 9/2009
9 02 2009
9 02 2009
Heidelberg University embarks on a major campaign — First project: renovation and modernisation of the New University by the 625th anniversary in 2011 — Under the patronage of former Federal Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl
“To the living spirit” is the dedication inscribed over the entrance to the main building of the New University in Heidelberg Old Town. It was coined by the literary historian and Heidelberg German Studies professor Friedrich Gundolf, one of the most famous scholars of the Weimar Republic. Heidelberg University has now made this dedication the motto for a major campaign entitled “To the Living Spirit. New University 2011+”. In the short and medium term, the campaign is geared to a project for the renovation and modernisation of the ensemble of buildings constituting the New University, built in the early 1930s with the aid of donations from America. The fundraising scheme hopes to persuade sponsors to assist in giving the interior of the New University a contemporary face-lift to coincide with the 625th anniversary celebrations in 2011.
In addition, the Gundolf motto is the title of a wide-ranging programme associated with the campaign. It is designed to do justice to all the implications of this dedication and also to strengthen corporate identity. There will be numerous activities geared to the motto itself, some of them interactive in nature. With specific reference to Heidelberg’s profile as a comprehensive university — a locus of dialogue and exchange between all its various disciplines — the motto has lost none of its actuality and attractiveness. But the “living spirit” is not restricted to the world of science and scholarship. The entire population of the city is invited to participate in the various activities planned to take place at regular intervals. The University is delighted to announce that the campaign will be placed under the patronage of former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who studied at Heidelberg University. The “+” in the title is a reference to the idea of sustainability. The campaign will hopefully uphold its impact when the anniversary celebrations are over.
The costs for the renovation of the main university building will amount to at least 8 million euros. The state of Baden-Württemberg has promised support to the tune of 3 million euros provided the rest of the required sum can be covered by the University and its sponsors. This makes the project one of the biggest fundraising schemes in the history of the University. The renovation work will encompass the whole of the façade and the roof and major sections of the interior, notably the lecture and assembly halls. In the course of the renovation the building will also be provided with the very latest media technology and fire-protection facilities.
“The Future. Since 1386!” is the motto of Heidelberg University. The University has been eminently successful in the Initiative for Excellence organised by the Federal and State governments. In international rankings Heidelberg figures as one of Germany’s leading universities. In terms of scientific and scholarly endeavour it cuts an excellent figure and is a decisive feature in Germany’s profile as an outstanding location of higher education and research. Its achievements in the natural sciences, life sciences, humanities and social sciences, its strategic alliances with other research institutions and the 2008 Nobel Prize for medicine all go to show that Heidelberg is one of the places where the future is taking place right now. The “living spirit” is also part and parcel of the “Heidelberg myth” and the “spirit of Heidelberg”, terms coined the past to epitomise the stimulating intellectual atmosphere that has always held such a fascination for students, scholars and scientists from all over the world.
For the latest information go to www.to-the-living-spirit.com
Contacts
Dr. Tanja Fichtner
Marketing & Strategy
Dezernat für Beziehungspflege — Stiftungen — Vermögen
Heidelberg University
Seminarstr. 2
D-69117 Heidelberg
phone: +49 6221 542135
fax: +49 6221 543666
mobile: 0173 6737668
e-mail: tanja.fichtner@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de
General inquiries from journalists should be addressed to
Dr. Michael Schwarz
Public Information Officer
Heidelberg University
Grabengasse 1
D-69117 Heidelberg
phone: +49 6221 542310
fax: +49 6221 542317
michael.schwarz@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/presse
Irene Thewalt
phone: +49 6221 542310
fax: +49 6221 542317
e-mail: presse@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
In addition, the Gundolf motto is the title of a wide-ranging programme associated with the campaign. It is designed to do justice to all the implications of this dedication and also to strengthen corporate identity. There will be numerous activities geared to the motto itself, some of them interactive in nature. With specific reference to Heidelberg’s profile as a comprehensive university — a locus of dialogue and exchange between all its various disciplines — the motto has lost none of its actuality and attractiveness. But the “living spirit” is not restricted to the world of science and scholarship. The entire population of the city is invited to participate in the various activities planned to take place at regular intervals. The University is delighted to announce that the campaign will be placed under the patronage of former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who studied at Heidelberg University. The “+” in the title is a reference to the idea of sustainability. The campaign will hopefully uphold its impact when the anniversary celebrations are over.
The costs for the renovation of the main university building will amount to at least 8 million euros. The state of Baden-Württemberg has promised support to the tune of 3 million euros provided the rest of the required sum can be covered by the University and its sponsors. This makes the project one of the biggest fundraising schemes in the history of the University. The renovation work will encompass the whole of the façade and the roof and major sections of the interior, notably the lecture and assembly halls. In the course of the renovation the building will also be provided with the very latest media technology and fire-protection facilities.
“The Future. Since 1386!” is the motto of Heidelberg University. The University has been eminently successful in the Initiative for Excellence organised by the Federal and State governments. In international rankings Heidelberg figures as one of Germany’s leading universities. In terms of scientific and scholarly endeavour it cuts an excellent figure and is a decisive feature in Germany’s profile as an outstanding location of higher education and research. Its achievements in the natural sciences, life sciences, humanities and social sciences, its strategic alliances with other research institutions and the 2008 Nobel Prize for medicine all go to show that Heidelberg is one of the places where the future is taking place right now. The “living spirit” is also part and parcel of the “Heidelberg myth” and the “spirit of Heidelberg”, terms coined the past to epitomise the stimulating intellectual atmosphere that has always held such a fascination for students, scholars and scientists from all over the world.
For the latest information go to www.to-the-living-spirit.com
Contacts
Dr. Tanja Fichtner
Marketing & Strategy
Dezernat für Beziehungspflege — Stiftungen — Vermögen
Heidelberg University
Seminarstr. 2
D-69117 Heidelberg
phone: +49 6221 542135
fax: +49 6221 543666
mobile: 0173 6737668
e-mail: tanja.fichtner@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de
General inquiries from journalists should be addressed to
Dr. Michael Schwarz
Public Information Officer
Heidelberg University
Grabengasse 1
D-69117 Heidelberg
phone: +49 6221 542310
fax: +49 6221 542317
michael.schwarz@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/presse
Irene Thewalt
phone: +49 6221 542310
fax: +49 6221 542317
e-mail: presse@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
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