Industrial sites and the mining heritage shape the identity of the Central German Mining Region. At the same time, many towns are facing very practical questions: How can they be preserved in the long term? How can new uses, sustainable financing models, and greater public visibility be developed?
Stakeholders from the fields of culture, regional development, tourism, public administration, and academia discussed this topic at the JTC Dialogue “Industrial Culture & Mining Heritage” on June 17, 2026, at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
Four keynote presentations offered different perspectives on the topic and laid the groundwork for the subsequent discussions.
To kick off the event, Anik Kompalla (SEWIG) and Uwe Gajowski (Mansfeld-Südharz District) presented the collaborative project “Central German Mining Experience Region” and demonstrated how regional partnerships can actively shape structural change. Dr. Alexander Klose (MLU/JTC) then used his presentation on the “Bitterfeld Bubble” to advocate for a process-oriented understanding of industrial culture and opened up new perspectives on how to approach industrial heritage. Prof. Dr. Michael Stipp and Dr. Ralf Halama (both MLU/JTC) focused on the Röhrigschacht teaching and research mine in Wettelrode as a significant testament to German copper mining. The event concluded with a presentation by Sándor Mohácsi (BZ Wolfen-Bitterfeld e. V.), who used the Wolfen-Bitterfeld Education Center as an example to demonstrate how industrial culture can inspire young people to engage with issues of the future.
Through our joint discussions, four key areas of action emerged:
- Develop a shared profile: Strengthen the connections between the region’s various locations and histories and highlight them as a regional strength.
- Permanently preserve industrial heritage: In addition to preserving the physical structures, we need to attract the next generation, facilitate knowledge transfer, and establish reliable structures for both full-time and volunteer staff.
- Diversify funding: Long-term prospects require models that are not solely dependent on individual funding programs.
- Connect the past with future-oriented topics: Industrial culture can contribute to regional identity, education, tourism, and the region’s appeal.
At the same time, the dialogue made it clear that the region already has numerous dedicated stakeholders and strong individual locations. The key task now is to better connect these resources, identify common interests, develop a research agenda, and establish sustainable partnerships for the future.
During the reception that followed, featuring food and drinks, many conversations continued, new connections were made, and existing networks were further strengthened. The JTC Team D would like to extend their sincere thanks to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and constructive dialogue.
