In the year 2009 the youth hostels celebrate their 100th anniversary / The idea was born in Germany

At the beginning there was Altena castle

Dusty, no way – today’s youth hostels keep up with the times: Modern buildings, trained staff and hospitable service are satisfying hostellers from far and wide. The German teacher Richard Schirrmann pictured a particular facility in 1909 which is still up-to-date and widely popular almost 100 years later.

The extraordinary idea of a “youth hostel” was created by the teacher Richard Schirrmann (1874-1961) on a walking tour. He loved to roam with his pupils in the natural environment of his homeland and teach them vivid lessons outside school. This time he is on his way with a group of children to Aachen. A heavy thunderstorm comes up and no shelter in sight. Not until in the evening the group reaches a provi-sional accommodation in a school. “Then I stroke the idea: School buildings are va-cant during the school holidays. They could provide beds of straw and be used by the roaming young as shelters after a day’s march”, Richard Schirrmann thought. That legendary thundery night dated 26 August 1909 is considered as the founding date of youth hostels.
The pioneer Richard Schirrmann starts seeking for support. He finds the fabricant and merchant Wilhelm Münker who turns out to be an ideal partner with manager skills. Against some oppositions the idea of an ”affordable accommodation for all young” catches on: First of all in Germany where Schirrmann opened the first “permanent German and worldwide youth hostel” in Altena 1912 and thereafter throughout Europe. The movement spread on in particular in the Netherlands, England and Scot-land. In 1931 Europe recorded already twelve youth hostel associations with approxi-mately 2.600 youth hostels. The number of hostels grew rapidly along with the in-creasing interest of the existing associations to exchange their experiences.

The first International Conference
Hereby the first international meeting of 22 delegates from Germany, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, France and Belgium was held in Amsterdam from 20 to 22 October 1932. Under the presidency of Richard Schirrmann the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) was founded. All representatives confessed themselves wholeheartedly to the princi-ple of equality and mutual respect.

Marching instead of wandering
The atmosphere in Germany changed in 1933 – understanding among nations and tolerance were not part of the vocabulary of the National Socialists. Even Schirrmann was forced to resign from presidency.

The period of rebuilding
After the disaster of World War II Richard Schirrmann, 70 years old meanwhile, takes the lead again in rebuilding the German and international youth hostel movement. Germany was unanimously adopted again a member of the IYHF in 1950.

Youth hostels today – located all over Germany in the country’s most beautiful places
The German youth hostels have reached the modern age. More than 10 million over-nights in 562 hostels attest impressively that school groups, families and individual backpackers are feeling comfortable and go hostelling with pleasure. The hostellers appreciate the casual atmosphere, the experience within a community as well as the sometimes gorgeous locations. Yet the service and the quality are okay and subject to permanent improvement. Comfortable, modern rooms, partly with showers and toilet ensuite go without saying. Healthy and varying catering in the shape of a buffet – a choice of breakfast, lunch and dinner – comes up to any need and renders an un-complicated touch to the stay in a hostel. Many youth hostels are offering interesting programme packages ranging from environmental protection, cultural and creative activities to sports.
The city hostels are perfectly qualified for international customers. Multi-lingual staff, folders and brochures about local sights and attractions, booking service, interna-tional food along with typical German meals and 24 hours open – a brilliant basis for exploring the surroundings.

Youth hostels have gone through changes over the years according to the varying needs of the hostellers. Only the root idea stayed unaltered: Youth hostels are venues for people from all over the world.

More information on www.jugendherberge.de .

27 Feb    
official opening ceremony in Berlin by the Federal Presi-dent Mr Horst Köhler

April - June
“First table tennis championship: 100 years – 100 champions” in 100 youth hostels nationwide

August
13 Aug   
Presentation of the specially minted coin and the special issue stamp “100 years youth hostels in Germany” by DJH, the German Federal Post Office and the German Government

22/23 Aug.  
Youth and family event in Altena (place of the first permanent Youth Hostel)

22 Aug   
Opening of the enlarged youth hostel museum and a spe-cial exhibition at Altena castle

26 Aug  
100th anniversary of the youth hostel idea (stormy night in the valley of Bröl)

“Week of Congratulations” from 24 to 30 August 2008 (per-formed by the IYHF)

September
14-20 Sep
“100 years – 100 books: Reading with youth hostel managers” in 50 youth hostels nationwide

October
End of Oct 
Day of the Environment sponsored by BIONADE “100 years – 100 trees in about 40 youth hostels nationwide

November
14 Nov 
Celebration in Detmold on the occasion of the Annual General Assembly of DJH

20-22 Nov 
European Regional Conference and international celebration (Düsseldorf/Altena)