Peace – A heritage with obligations

In 1648, European history was written in Münster. That was more a fortunate coincidence than any merit-worthy achievement on the city’s part. But today, Münster sees itself duty-bound to take good care of this awesome heritage.

On 24 October 1648, the “Peace of Westphalia” was concluded in Münster and Osnabrück, finally ending the 30 Years’ War that had caused so much devastation and bloodshed in Europe. Several months previously, on 15 May of the same year, a partial peace treaty had already been concluded in Münster Town Hall between Spain and the Netherlands, marking the end of the 80-year war of the Dutch for their independence and so setting the seal on the creation of the Netherlands as an autonomous state. This scene is recorded in a famous painting by Gerard Terborch. And in today’s "Peace Hall", in Münster’s Historical Town Hall, it is possible to see portraits of the ambassadors who at that time set the course for the Europe of today.

For the Peace of Westphalia proved novel and consequential in several different ways. First, it marked the end of the age of the bloody wars of religion. Moreover, the highly convoluted conflict it ended was resolved through dialogue and negotiation conducted with the aid of mediators between equal partners. At that time, that could in no way be taken for granted. Finally, though – and despite the fact that Spain and France still continued their war – the framework was created for a European peace order between equal, sovereign states. This was a foundation stone which still stands in modern international law up to the present day. And since 2015, as a symbol of not only the historical significance of this event but also its continuing significance for the whole of Europe today, Münster’s Town Hall with the Peace Hall – along with its counterpart in Osnabrück – has proudly displayed the European Heritage Label.

This is an honour which in 2018, the European Cultural Heritage Year proclaimed by the European Commission, brought special obligations with it. In a joint, overarching project under the title “Frieden.Europa” – “Peace.Europe”, the “Peace Cities” of Münster and Osnabrück linked several events to create one of the biggest projects of the European Cultural Heritage Year. Additionally, Münster Town Hall presented (and continues to present) a new, predominantly digital treatment of the European dimension of the place of remembrance: “Münster. Peace of Westphalia”. And as a lasting legacy, the “Peace Blog” (www.friedensblog.eu) of the cities of Münster and Osnabrück, which was started during the European Cultural Heritage Year, will continue in the long term to provide information on peace projects taking place in the two cities.

But managing the peace legacy in Münster naturally has a very much longer tradition. So, for example, with the programme of events lasting several weeks entitled “1648 – Dialogues for Peace”, which has been held regularly since 2008, Münster is once again picking up its own peace policy tradition and asking new questions. The programme of activities includes an academy for school students, a meeting of the religious communities, and platform discussions with prominent personalities. And for 17 years now, a broad alliance of civic organizations and groups has held the “Friedenskulturmonat” – the Peace Culture Month – in September. Since 2018, a new and wonderful event format has been causing a stir: The “West-Eastern Divan” of artist Thomas Nufer transforms Münster’s Domplatz into a simultaneously occidental and oriental marketplace, where a colourful mix of happenings takes place on rugs spread out on the cobblestones for the delight and enjoyment of the public.

An event held every two years that draws international attention is the award of the “Internationaler Preis des Westfälischen Friedens” (Westphalian Peace Prize). This is given by the “Wirtschaftliche Gesellschaft für Westfalen und Lippe in Münster“ (Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe in Münster) in two parts: firstly to prominent personalities such as Helmut Kohl, Kofi Annan, Daniel Barenboim, Helmut Schmidt and even the crew of the International Space Station (ISS), but secondly, and always, to groups of young people who are particularly actively engaged in promoting peace and understanding.

Some interesting facts & figures (perhaps worth following up further?)

• Since 2018, the European Cultural Heritage Year, Münster’s Historical Town Hall with the Peace Hall has been equipped with an up-to-date, predominantly digital presentation of the history, impact and European importance of this Place of Remembrance. With the aid of touchscreens and tablets, and thanks to augmented reality (AR), visitors can explore the history of the 30 Years’ War and the Peace of Westphalia, including its reception history, and so concern themselves with this part of European history and see it in relation to the conflicts occurring throughout the world today.
  www.frieden-europa
• The International Westphalian Peace Prize is presented every two years by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe.  An original certificate, the prize, and information on the prize winners to date can now also be found in the Bürgerhalle (Citizens’ Hall)
  www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de
• In September of each year, an alliance of civic groupings holds the Friedenskulturmonat – the Peace Culture Month – with a broad range of activities, including lectures, a “Peace Run” and “Kids’ Peace Festival”, as well as the “Peace Meal” in the Town Hall courtyard or, to give it its official name, the Platz des Westfälischen Friedens. And since 2018: The “West-Eastern Divan” is a cultural happening on Domplatz, where, among other things, an Arabian “Kiepenkerl” offers the onlookers a schnapps, linen weavers from nearby Ochtrup dance to the sounds of Kurdish music ...
• 1648 – Dialogues for Peace: This is the title of a traditional high-quality season of events around the date of the declaration of the Peace of Westphalia on 24 October. Specifically in this context, much call is made on the knowledge and abilities of the University’s “Religion and Politics” Excellence Cluster.
  www.stadt-muenster.de/en/tourismus/peace-of-westphalia.html