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History & Life Sciences

Crash Course. Spaces in Transformation: a Weekend in the Thuringian Forest

When:

22 August - 24 August 2025

School:

Bauhaus Summer School

Institution:

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

City:

Weimar

Country:

Germany

Language:

English, German

Fee:

340 EUR

Interested?
Crash Course. Spaces in Transformation: a Weekend in the Thuringian Forest

About

The Thuringian Forest is a structurally weak peripheral region. Small villages, an ageing population and fewer and fewer services of general interest are typical. The Thuringian Forest is also a low mountain range landscape, a hotspot of biodiversity, characterized by a small-scale mosaic of forests, meadows, streams and moors and scattered settlements. The local people identify strongly with their region.

With our Summer School crash course, we will spend three days as a group in the small village of Vesser in the middle of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Thuringian Forest. Here, we will use participatory methods to explore aspects of socio-ecological transformation on site. To this end, we will immerse ourselves in the history of the place and let contemporary witnesses have their say. Guided by local experts, we will discover the natural environment and understand the close relationship between humans and nature as well as the effects of climate change in the region. We will pay particular attention to the species-rich mountain meadows that surround Vesser and are an exceptional part of the cultural landscape: however, the traditional use of these meadows has declined in context of socio-economic changes. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to addresses the challenges of managing and conserving these areas. New concepts for usage and conservation are required. Here we take practical action ourselves to make a small contribution to their continued existence, including learning about traditional methods and techniques. Dinners with the village community round off our days. Participants will be exploring one of the topics outlined. They will collect materials and combine them with their own experiences and backgrounds in any format they choose. The result will be a pop-up exhibition. In this way, we give something back to the village and its people.

Crash Course in Vesser (Thuringian Forest)

Friday, 22-08-25, 2.00 pm from Weimar
Sunday, 24-08-25, 8.00 pm back to Weimar

Course leader

Elodie Vittu, Britta Trostorff (Naturstiftung David)

Target group

Open to everyone interested.

Requirements:
A willingness to connect with others and engage in meaningful encounters, an interest in topics related to socio-ecological transformation, readiness to take part in light practical work, and enthusiasm for spending time in nature and the countryside.

Course aim

Discover socioecological transformation in the Thuringian Forest: spend a weekend in the village of Vesser, exploring landscape, community, and sustainable conservation in this unique UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Guided by local experts, we’ll dive into the rich cultural landscapes, take hands-on action to preserve species-rich meadows, and share meaningful moments with the village community.

This crash course covers the basics of a specific topic over an intensive weekend. It can be combined with a specialised course or a language course. You can also book a crash course on its own.

Fee info

Fee

340 EUR, Regular

Fee

290 EUR, Bauhaus Summer School 2025 participants

The course fee includes: Orientation & Support Programme according to description, Teaching materials, Bauhaus Summer School ID card, Daily Lunch at the University Cafeteria (Monday - Friday), Certificate, Internet access at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Free use of library, Accompanying programme including excursions, Free entrance to museums belonging to Klassik Stiftung Weimar, Travel by public transport in Weimar. Please note our terms and conditions (admission conditions, cancellation conditions etc.). The course fee does not include: Travel costs, Accommodation, Insurance, Additional excursions

Interested?

When:

22 August - 24 August 2025

School:

Bauhaus Summer School

Institution:

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Language:

English, German

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