Bertelsmann Provides €500,000 To Establish Droste Foundation

Bertelsmann is supporting the preservation of and free public access to a significant Westphalian cultural heritage site: the birthplace of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff , who is regarded as one of the most important German poets. Her best-known classics, which are also still widely read internationally, include " Die Judenbuche ," published by the Random House imprint Manesse. The new foundation was set up to ensure a contemporary presentation of such works and the life and work of the poet in Hülshoff castle, in Havixbeck near Munster.

The typical Westphalian moated castle will remain permanently open to the public thanks to the foundation, to whose capital stock Bertelsmann is contributing €500,000. According to the Landscape Association of Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) the total capital required for establishing the foundation is €19.3 million. Besides the LWL, the German government, the state of NRW and the districts of Warendorf and Coesfeld are also among the contributors. But companies from the region have also pledged their support, including Bertelsmann. The castle buildings and grounds as well as numerous visual and literary art exhibits from the family collection will become part of the foundation.

When Annette von Droste- Hülshoff (1797-1848) was writing her works, Bertelsmann was publishing its first books about 100 miles from her home. And even beyond the historical parallels, and Bertelsmann’s deliberate support of the cultural region of Westphalia where it became big with books, the Group has other reasons for supporting the establishment of the foundation. Hülshoff castle is to be developed into a first-class literary center attractively linking past and present. This initially applies to the preservation of the castle, which looks back on a history of over 500 years, but also to the literary masterpieces that were created in this castle and the vicinity.

Literature and the medium of the book will be showcased in an innovative way in the castle. The foundation not only seeks to get visitors from all over the country and far beyond excited about the life and work of a great poet, but also about reading itself. Young audiences in particular will be addressed so they realize that timeless classic literature and digital reading are by no means a contradiction. It is precisely this future-oriented, forward-looking concept that Bertelsmann will support with its donation.

Hülshoff castle is of great interest both as a historical monument and as the birthplace of the poet Annette von Droste- Hülshoff . The castle was first mentioned in the 11th century. In 1417 it came into the possession of the aristocratic Deckenbrock family , who later changed their name to "von Droste." The original enclosed Renaissance manor house complex built by Heinrich I von Droste Hülshoff from about 1540 to 1545 is preserved intact and is still owned by the family together with the public park, castle and Droste museum.

Annette von Droste- Hülshoff was born in the castle in January 1797 and spent a large part of her life there and in the nearby “Rüschhaus.”