As the Polish proverb goes, "April pleats, because it intertwines...". And as it happens in April, the weather was once winter and once summer. The school exchanges between Gryfino-Bersenbrück and Krapkowice-Wissen, which lasted from 15 to 19 April, were similarly "intertwined". The young people from Gryfino and Bersenbrück enjoyed fresh air and outdoor activities while preparing beds and planting in our permaculture garden, and looked at themes of diversity and interculturalism.
Read more: Youth exchanges Gryfino-Bersenbrück and Krapkowice-Wissen
The 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, which falls in 2024, as well as the 35th anniversary of the Reconciliation Mass at Krzyżowa, provide an excellent opportunity to familiarise German audiences with the historical experiences of Poles and Poles and to sensitise them to the differences in Polish and German memories of these events. These are special events, as they focus on both the extremely negative experiences of Europe, especially of the Polish-German neighbourhood, which should not only be a warning but also a point of constant reflection. As well as the positive ones, which should still inspire us today to think about the strength of civil society and models for our mutual relations.
Read more: New project || From Conflict to Reconciliation. Poland in its relationship with Germany 1939-1989.
A conference preceding the official opening of the exhibition '1939-1945: Years that Changed the World' took place in Krzyżowa on 19 April 2024. The exhibition was specifically designed for schoolchildren and teachers and tells the story of the causes, course and long-term consequences of the Second World War. It presents these events in the broadest possible context and from different perspectives. So that it is comprehensible not only to a Polish audience, but also to people from other countries who visit Krzyżowa.
The exhibition consists of two parts. The first presents the origins and course of the Second World War, the differences between occupation policies in the West and East of Europe, and shows what resistance looked like in different European countries - including the activities of the anti-Nazi opposition in Germany. The second part of the exhibition discusses the key issues necessary for understanding history and its consequences. As well as showing the mechanisms of hatred that led to the Holocaust, the different attitudes displayed by people who experienced the war and occupation and the differences in Polish and German memories of the war are discussed. The exhibition also addresses the contemporary consequences of the Second World War - from conflicts in Africa, genocide in the former Yugoslavia, to Russia's criminal attack on Ukraine.
Read more: The conference and the opening ceremony of the outdoor exhibition "1939-1945: Years that Changed...
Young people from Tczew and Paderborn visited Krzyżowa again on 8-13.04.2024 to share memories together focusing on the theme of 'Sharing the past, sharing new memories'.
After the first two days of integration, language animation and learning about the history of Krzyżowa, the young people went on a full-day excursion to Wrocław, where they learnt about the city's attractions during a city game as well as visited the 'Europa II' exhibition at the BWA contemporary art gallery.
The following day, participants began to explore the theme of memory and reminiscence. With the temporary exhibition 'Stolen Memory' and the workshops based on this exhibition, the young people discovered a new perspective on learning about the history of the Holocaust - through the fate of individual people and their objects. The presentation on the perception of memory in contemporary art opened up new perspectives for us and was a great introduction to the art workshop - painting cotton bags - during which real masterpieces were created! The young people also created reconstructions of photographs of their grandparents and parents, as well as a choreography about what future they hope for and what future they fear.
Read more: Youth exchange Tczew - Paderborn 08 -13.04.2024
.jpeg)
