CERV – ‘Shaping the future of Europe – My image of peace’ – WORKSHOP

From February 2024 to June 2024, MITEINANDER IN EUROPA was able to organise workshops on the topic of this town twinning, which lasted several weeks.

In cooperation with the Hanseatic city, young people from two Lüneburg schools were recruited to take on the challenges of Europe.

Using various techniques, young people approached ‘their’ image of peace – which included their vision of Europe’s future in the form of questions, hopes and visions.

Discussions on the challenges facing Europe took place in the workshops during these long working hours. The participants analysed the milestones of European history (Maastricht Treaty) and European citizenship.

This period was characterised by the so-called ‘shift to the right’ in Europe and the never-ending news about the war in Ukraine. In addition to the form of artistic expression, research, interviews, filming and compiling took place. Various exhibits and contributions were created which informed, inspired and sensitised all visitors in the exhibition – the awareness-raising activity.

Vernissage exhibition ‘Shaping the future of Europe – My image of peace’

The exhibition could be shown in the currently vacant rooms of the former bookshop on the market – in the middle of Lüneburg city centre – opposite Lüneburg town hall.

The large windows of this building were used to ‘advertise’ and spread the word about this town twinning and the activities, while at the same time counteracting the vacancy in Lüneburg city centre.

Exhibits were presented that had been developed in workshops with the Wilhelm-Raabe-Schule Lüneburg since February 2024. The exhibits include paintings, interview summaries, information and knowledge films, podcasts, presentations and participation activities (surveys and the opportunity to write down your own ideas).

The vernissage took place on Monday, 17 June 2024 at 12.00 noon. A brass ensemble played at the opening and drew even more passers-by to the event.

After welcoming speeches, young citizens presented examples of some of the exhibits, making people want to visit and see the entire exhibition.

Representatives of the city partners from Timisoara, Kifissia and Izola were also present at this opening/vernissage.

Town twinning ‘Shaping the future of Europe – My image of peace’ International panel discussion

During the first partner meeting in Lüneburg, the international panel discussion took place on 18 June 2024 in the exhibition rooms in Lüneburg city centre. The rooms of the former bookshop on the market square were used for the event – right in the centre of the exhibition.

The international panel discussion was prepared as part of a workshop with the Wilhelm Raabe School (Mr Friesen). Secondary school students Florian Jonas and Jakob von Mansberg led the panel discussion with representatives from politics, partner cities, the association “An Schulen gegen Rechtsextremismus” (ASgR LG), Checkpoint Queer and LIVT. It was a highlight of the international meeting, the exchange between the twin towns and the project. An attempt was made to develop constructive ideas for ‘TOGETHER IN EUROPE’. These will be incorporated into the impulse paper.

This discussion was musically introduced by the wind class under the direction of Alexander Gums, singer Frieda Rahn (8th grade), the WRS Big Band with singer Emma Kreiselmaier (10th grade) under the direction of Frank Reimann, as well as the initiative and organisation by the association ‘Miteinander in Europa e.V.’.