Dresden: Heritage in Danger!

A Last minute Appeal for Help: Save the World Heritage Site, Dresden Elbe Valley! Stop the Bulldozers!

The Saxonian State Government is forcing the city of Dresden to begin building a controversial motorway bridge which cuts across the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dresden Elbe-River Valley. Because of the threat of the immanent construction of the so-called “Waldschlösschen” Bridge, Dresden has been placed on the so-called „Red List“ of endangered sites.

With this act, the State Government is irreversibly destroying a unique cultural landscape and is risking the loss of the World Heritage title. This will result in severe consequences for other German World Heritage Sites. The damage to Germany’s international reputation and to its credibility in honouring international treaties will be irreversible.

We appeal to you to help us now, right now, to stop the systematic destruction of our cultural heritage. Groundbreaking is scheduled to begin at the end of March. Because of the designation of the World Heritage title, preservation of the Dresden Elbe-Valley is no longer just a local issue, but the responsibility of all humankind. - We urge you to help by voicing your concern:

Dresden Appeal for World Heritage Conservation

With UNESCO resolution of 11th July 2006 Dresden is on the “Red List” of endangered World Heritage Sites.The city has been asked to supply alternative suggestions to the planned construction of the bridge “Waldschloesschenbruecke”. Otherwise the commission will deprive Dresden the title awarded in 2004.

Having awarded the World Heritage Title, Dresden joined the world Heritage Convention of the UN, which has been signed by 160 states and thus has accepted the accrued international and legal obligations. On the other hand, Dresden’s’ unique, over generations and centuries grown and by the citizens and governing responsibly cared, urban cultural landscape has experienced the greatest appreciation by international nations.

After war and dictatorship in the 20th century, the city challenged to find back to former brilliancy, international attention and thus enabled itself to play in concert with European cultural cities. Even for this reason, Dresden inhabitants are proud of the World Heritage Status. Its possible loss in support of a bridge construction is not to legitimate with the result of a citizens decision. The appreciation of values requires a new public discussion!

We appeal to the city council: Do not lay the foundations for irreversible damages by placing of works contracts! Show in this precarious constellation, in which Dresden is in the focus of national and international attention, particular political maturity and vision! Do not follow only formal principles!

We appeal to the deputies and governing of the Free State of Saxony: Attend to your political responsibility and prevent the capital of Saxony from a global cultural disaster! Help with political intelligence to obtain the UNESCO World Heritage Status “Dresden Elbe Valley”!

Executive Board, Elbhangfest e.V
Reinhard Decker, chairman

Dresden, 12th July 2006

Initial Subscribers

further initial subscribers
further subscribers