Focolare Movement

[:it]A Solingen, per non dimenticare e purificare la memoria[:de]Solinger Jugendliche: Nicht reden, handeln![:pt]Em Solingen, para não esquecer e purificar a memória

Jun 3, 2011

On the 20th of May 2011 a group of young people initiated a project involving several schools in the city of Solingen, in memory of a serious episode of racial intolerance which occurred in 1993.

This year, on this occasion, a group of young people decided to do something concrete for their city. Recently, they had taken part, in partnership with other youth groups of German and Italian schools, in a European project called “Heimat Europa” (Europe, Home to All). The project was begun in Germany in 2010 through the initiative of the German association Starkmacher, in collaboration with the Movement for Unity in Politics. It was a training course which lasted more than a year, where they worked and comparing their views on immigration in from the viewpoint of integration, the environment, the future of Europe, with particular reference to the development the Federal European Union which should be able to accomplish it. It was a compelling journey that left a mark in their hearts but also in their minds and, begun as a game, it  gradually grew and became a true political experience. The Mayor of Solingen and other city authorities were enthusiastic about the project and immediately offered their support. Before the anniversary event even began, knowing that the memorial spot had to be cleaned, they offered to do it. In collaboration with their school, they got many other students involved. A working group assembled information on the tragedy of 1993 for the younger students. And, since the 20th of May occurred during “European Week”, they took the occasion to present the idea of Europe as home for all, including immigrants. The suggestions were many. After observing a minute of silence, a “tree of peace” was planted, and the young people present were invited to write on cards the values which they hold to be important (peace, brotherhood, unity, solidarity, responsibility …). Then the cards were symbolically placed in the hole in which the tree was planted. It was an apple tree. A young person: “The tree has many leaves, which symbolize Europe in its communion in diversity. The fruits, the apples, symbolize the new generations and new ideas.” And another: “The little apple stands for a great goal, peace in Europe but also in our city.” And what came out in the end, is something interior which confirms that “you can hope for a different world; the change depends on our personal sense of responsibility and our ability to work together.” “You could even become passionate about this kind of politics.”

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

What’s UP? Let’s get started!

What’s UP? Let’s get started!

Welcome to What’s UP?, a new format offered by the Focolare Movement that brings us closer together and makes us feel more and more like a family.

A prize for Run4Unity

A prize for Run4Unity

The international relay race that the Teens for Unity organize every year on the first Sunday of May, during the “United World Week”, has won the #BeActive EU Sport Awards.

From Caracas (Venezuela): solidarity becomes tangible

From Caracas (Venezuela): solidarity becomes tangible

Several days have passed since the earthquakes in Venezuela that caused the collapse of 770 buildings.At the moment the official figures report more than 1,400 victims, thousands injured and it is estimated that the number of missing persons may reach 50,000. Rescue teams have arrived from many countries and are racing against time to find survivors beneath the rubble. Here follows the news received from the Focolare communities in Caracas which have mobilized to meet the multiple needs arising from this tragedy while a network of solidarity network has sprung into action.