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The Stiftung Bundespräsident-Theodor-Heuss-Haus is a non-partisan foundation under public law dedicated to the research, communication, and reflection of democratic values [2]. As one of seven political memorial foundations of the federal government, it was founded on May 27, 1994, by the German Bundestag and opened on November 19, 1996 [2]. The foundation is under the legal supervision of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and is financed from the federal budget.
The foundation deals intensively with democratic society, its history, and its design in the present [2]. Central to its work is the understanding of – a concept embodied by Theodor Heuss, the first Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1959 [8]. The foundation commemorates the journalist, social-liberal politician, and democratic visionary Heuss and his life's work.
The foundation pursues several essential tasks [2]:
Memorial and Museum: The authentic residence of Theodor Heuss in Stuttgart is open to the public as a museum. Thanks to the preservation of original furnishings and furniture by the Heuss family, the living room, study, and dining room can be furnished as they were in Heuss's time [5]. A completely revised permanent exhibition with the titles "Democracy as a Way of Life" and "Number 1 – the Head of State" was opened in 2023 by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and presents Heuss as a private person and not only as Federal President [5].
Research and Documentation: The foundation conducts contemporary historical research and political education. An archive and a research and documentation center in Stuttgart record and develop historical holdings and make them accessible to the public [2].
Publications: The foundation publishes archival holdings and scientific studies to convey historical knowledge and make it available to the general public [2].
Events and Discourse: The house serves as a place for reflection, exchange, and debate about our democratic constitution. The foundation regularly organizes events, including the "Theodor-Heuss-Kolloquium," which deals with current issues of contemporary history and the present [7].
The foundation pursues a holistic approach to strengthening democracy. It continuously analyzes the nature of democracy, identifies conditions that give cause for concern, and critically accompanies social developments [3]. Through networking, exchange, and public discourse, the foundation aims to firmly root democratic values, strengthen a sense of responsibility, and show possible courses of action [3].
The foundation shows a particular commitment to dealing with extremism: Together with over 100 Stuttgart organizations, it is sending a clear signal against right-wing extremism [9].
The foundation promotes active democratic engagement through various programs such as "Neulandsucher Ost-West," which supports projects for more participation and democratic coexistence [7]. In addition, the foundation operates the "Theoblog" as a forum for the history and present of liberal democracy, in which authors deal with society and its democratic development from a political-historical perspective [7].
The Theodor-Heuss-Haus is an authentic place of German democratic history and makes a significant contribution to the communication of democratic values. Through the combination of historical documentation, scientific research, public education, and contemporary discourse, the foundation creates a unique contribution to the strengthening and reflection of democracy in Germany.
