Deutsches Polen-Institut Darmstadt e. V.

The Deutsche Polen-Institut (DPI), founded on March 11, 1980, by Karl Dedecius in Darmstadt, is a central research, information, and event center for Polish culture, history, politics, and German-Polish relations.

The main mission of the DPI is to expand knowledge about Poland as a core country of European culture in history and present, as well as about Poland as an important partner of Germany in European politics. The institute aims to deepen mutual knowledge of the cultural and intellectual life of Poles and Germans and to maintain relations with the neighboring country Poland through a comprehensive program offering[2][3][4].

• Science and Research: The DPI connects scientists from various disciplines who deal with the research of Poland and German-Polish relations. It regularly organizes specialist and junior conferences, interdisciplinary summer academies, and awards research scholarships[2][4].
• Education: The institute offers extensive educational programs for schools and universities, including teacher training, teaching materials for Polish literature, history, and society, and an internet platform "Poland in School" with free teaching materials[2][4].
• Politics and Media: The DPI operates the information service "Poland Analyses," organizes parliamentary workshops, and maintains close contacts with politics and ministries. It also hosts German-Polish discussion groups and panel discussions[2][4].
• Cultural Mediation: The institute organizes readings, exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events such as the Darmstadt Weeks of Polish Film. It also awards the Karl Dedecius Prize for German and Polish translators[2][4].
• Library and Collections: The library of the DPI is the largest specialized library on Poland and German-Polish relations in Germany, encompassing literature, archives, and estates[2][3].

The DPI is committed to the long-term promotion of German-Polish relations and European integration. It aims to build new networks for scientific engagement with Poland, strengthen educational policy commitment, and intensify political support through close contacts with politics and ministries. By networking with research institutions in Germany and Poland, as well as collaborating with public institutions, foundations, and companies, the institute ensures the sustainability of its projects[2][4].

The institute has been located in the renovated Herrenbau of the Darmstadt Castle since February 2016 and is led by Heiko Maas as president and Peter Oliver Loew as director. It remains an important player in promoting understanding and cooperation between Germany and Poland, particularly through its regular events, publications, and educational initiatives[2][3].

• 1 - https://webarchiv.bundestag.de/archive/2016/0905/kulturundgeschichte/ausstellungen/parl_hist/dt_pl_institut/dt_pl_institut/196890.html
• 2 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Polen-Institut
• 3 - https://www.deutsches-polen-institut.de
• 4 - https://www.deutsches-polen-institut.de/institut/aufgaben/
• 5 - https://www.polenforschung.de