Scientists explore Weißwasser's industrial future and past

Scientists explore Weißwasser's industrial future and past

An exciting research project is currently taking place in Weißwasser, a city that once shone with the splendor of the glass industry. Scientists from the University of Greifswald set out on a journey to explore the past and future of this area. The Voices from the Periphery project aims to explore what separates and connects this region from similar cities in the UK. The focus is particularly on the industrial history and the life stories of the local residents.

The project manager Dr. Andyräder, research associate at the Institute for Political and Communication Science, leads the discussions with citizens in Weißwasser. A “storytelling café” will be held next Wednesday, giving residents the opportunity to share their memories and impressions of the city’s transformation. People born before 1970 who experienced the developments in Weißwasser before and after reunification are invited. Initial discussions have already shown that, despite the industrial decline, citizens can tell positive things about their time. The demographic change, however, cannot be overlooked: since the fall of the Wall, the city has lost over 20,000 residents and is now only home to around 15,000 people.

The industrial past

The choice of Weißwasser as a research location is no coincidence. In the 19th century the city was a vibrant center of the European glass industry. Over 75% of the residents earned their living in the glass industry. Even today, the historical significance of glass is honored in the region, including in the Weißwasser Glass Museum, which deals with economic, social and art historical aspects.

The shaping and processing of glass has undergone significant changes as a result of the industrial revolution. Innovators such as Otto Schott and Ernst Abbe laid the foundation for modern glass technology in Jena, and Friedrich Siemens invented the tub furnace, which enabled continuous production. The Muskau fold proved to be an ideal location, thanks to the geological conditions that enabled the mining of raw materials such as brown coal and quartz sand. At the beginning of the 20th century there were eleven glassworks in the region and up to 47 others in the surrounding area, which further stimulated the economic boom.

A look into the future

The long-term goal of the research project, which began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2027, is to use consultations and interviews with residents to collectively develop a better understanding of the city's identity. The discussions with citizens will be followed by individual interviews and a media analysis. The German Research Foundation (DFG) and various British institutions support the project. At the moment, the project group has already completed discussions in Lauchhammer and is halfway through in Eisenhüttenstadt, and now Weißwasser is on the agenda.

The challenges should not be underestimated. The decline of the once thriving nuclear industry calls for new ideas and alternatives to make the city fit for the future. The residents' stories could help find a path forward that the city desperately needs.

As a look back at Weißwasser's glorious industrial history shows, acknowledgment of one's own past and exchange among citizens could be the key to successfully mastering future challenges. It remains exciting to see what insights will emerge from the “Voices from the Periphery” project.

For more information about the glass city of Weißwasser and its history, visit the Weißwasser Glass Museum or explore the variety of publications on the glass industry that deal with this important era. Information about this can be found at sächsische.de, saxorum, and iku-sachsen.