The Center for Regional History and Culture of Mecklenburg (Zentrum Mecklenburg for short) was founded at a festive event at the University of Rostock on 22 January 2025. This new institution sees itself as an important interface between the University of Rostock and the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and has set itself the goal of strengthening the research and communication of regional history and culture.
The Mecklenburg Center is dedicated in particular to the history of the region, the Low German language and Mecklenburg literature. A central concern is the digitization of knowledge, whereby modern standards of research data management are used to secure the historical and cultural heritage of Mecklenburg in the long term and make it accessible to the public.
After greetings from Professor Hans-Jörg Karlsen, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Bettina Martin, Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs, Professor Elizabeth Prommer, Rector of the University of Rostock, and Dr. Martin Buchsteiner, Chairman of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Heritage Association, current research projects on the regional history of Mecklenburg were presented. The vocal ensemble “Stella nostra” from Berlin enriched the evening with Middle Low German Christmas carols.
The Mecklenburg Center is pursuing a number of ambitious goals, including
Public relations: Scientific findings on regional history and culture are to be disseminated more widely in society.
Citizen science: Mecklenburg's citizens are actively involved in research through projects and supported in their own research projects.
Educational support: The center supports the university training of multipliers who carry their knowledge into the region.
Project coordination: It helps with the acquisition of third-party funding and bundles regional research initiatives.
Information portal: In cooperation with existing institutions, an information portal is provided that makes historical and cultural resources accessible.
The Mecklenburg Center is a collaboration between the Institute of German Studies and the Wossidlo Research Center, the Institute of History, the Institute of Media Research, the University Library and the University Archives and Custody. In addition, collaborations with institutions throughout the state have been initiated or are planned, for example with the Heimatverband, the Historical Commission for Mecklenburg, museums, archives and other associations and organizations.
The Zentrum Mecklenburg invites all interested parties to participate in the networking and exchange on regional history and culture in the state.
E-mail: zentrum.mecklenburg@uni-rostock.de