CZ-INE 12.106 Create a Place of Reconciliation at Rabstejn
Description: The workcamp is organized in co-operation with the town of Ceska Kamenice (app. 5200 inhabitants). It is the only town in the Czech Republic located on the interface of three protected landscape areas. The nearest one is Czech Swiss National Park and it lies just on the outskirts of the town. The centre of the city consists of well-preserved urban heritage zone with a variety of cultural monuments. For these reasons, the city is a natural centre of tourism in the region. The workcamp will take place in the nearby valley where lay ruins of a former concentration camp Rabstejn. The aim of the workcamp is to clean the area and create a dignified memorial of the history with the locals that lived through it. It should be a reminder of the unfortunate post-war events — relocation of the Sudeten Germans (today the monument is only remembering the victims of the war; however, the camp was also used during the relocation just after the war). It also aims to create a better touristic infrastructure in the valley.In this workcamp, you are actively working for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Sustainable Cities and Communities (UN SDG11).
Type of Work: The work will take place in the Rabstejn Valley area and it will be manual. The work will include cleaning clutter, digging soil, cleaning, installing informative signs and memorials, marking and creating hiking trails (e.g. installation of wooden stairs). All the works described above should take place outdoors, in case of bad weather, participants will work in a covered building — former textile factory or further away (where they will be transported). Study part: International evening (presentation of the cultures of individual participants) for the general public, discussions with the locals who lived through the Rabstejns history (relocated Sudeten Germans, some of whom were directly staying in the Rabstejn concentration camp), along with the installation of the memorial.
Study Theme: International evening (presentation of the cultures of individual participants) for the general public, discussions with the locals who lived through the Rabstejns history (relocated Sudeten Germans, some of whom were directly staying in the Rabstejn concentration camp), along with the installation of the memorial.
Accommodation: There will be a camp built for the purpose of the workcamp. Accommodation in tents for 2 people, facilities (kitchen, dining room, etc.) in the central tent, possibility to use (in case of bad weather, or for storing things in a lockable space) the building of a former textile factory next to the campsite. Showers and toilets available in the form of a mobile unit. Volunteers cook meals together in the kitchen which will be built as part of the camp.
Language: eng,
Requirements: Due to current travel restrictions we only accept volunteers from Europe, who do not need visa to travel to Czech Republic. Participation fee: Due to limited outgoing resources of INEX-SDA, we kindly ask participants to contribute 25 EUR towards the costs of general incoming administration of our workcamps. The fee will be collected upon arrival. Please note that this fee ds not directly contribute to the workcamp budgets. Please bring your own sleeping bag and a sleeping mat. Project is for volunteers who like to get to know the history of the region and who like to work outdoors.
Approximate Location: The Rabstejn Valley, the most important part of which is the ruins and monument of the former Rabstejn concentration camp (https://goo.gl/maps/UZev4KBK2pB68HHE7).Participants will be camping in a field located in the valley, in the near proximity of the former textile factory (https://goo.gl/maps/GiLzTkWS7ykrCt3K9). Leisure time: Trips to the surrounding areas (three protected landscape areas, Czech Swiss National Park, a number of cultural monuments ( in Ceska Kamenice and in the nearby area e.g. chateau in nearby Decin), swimming pool, sports complex (hall games and outdoor tennis/badminton courts), water park in Decin, via ferrata, in case of interest, possibility of sports matches against local associations, clubs etc.
