Students from Sandesneben inspire with a short film in the Reichstag!

Students from Sandesneben inspire with a short film in the Reichstag!

An exciting chapter in the world of theater recently culminated in the Berlin Reichstag: “Be Quiet”, the play by talented students from the Sandesneben Community School, celebrated its world premiere on June 25th, right in the middle of the award ceremony for the renowned Otto Wels Prize for Democracy. In a moving performance, the students, led by teacher Linda Münnekhoff, highlighted topics such as “freedom” and “diversity” and created an impressive piece that addresses the radicalizing tendency of a fascist society. This reports Duchy Direct.

The film adaptation of the play was very well received, even if the coveted prize did not go to the students this time. Nevertheless, the feedback from Nawal Salih Hasan remained positive and encouraging: “Go for it and be there that counts!” The performance, which subsequently led to a convivial evening with music and a buffet in the Reichstag, was very much appreciated by those involved. The actors also had the opportunity to visit the Reichstag and experience a breathtaking view of the sunset from the roof terrace.

The path to further performances

So the stage is set for more. The short film “Be Quiet” will soon be shown at the Ratzeburg Film Club and at schools in Schleswig-Holstein. A valuable part of this project was the support of Jörg Geschke and filmmaker Samuel Klein. Furthermore, the entire film project was funded by the Duchy of Lauenburg Foundation as part of the federal program “Living Democracy!” promoted.

Such cultural initiatives are particularly important to encourage young voices and address social issues. Students are also active in neighboring Bavaria: a group from the Haarer High School was recently awarded the Otto Wels Prize for Democracy. This award, which is presented by the SPD parliamentary group, is aimed at young adults between the ages of 16 and 20 and honors commitment to topics such as culture of remembrance, democracy and against racism. Her piece “Voices,” which deals with the fate of euthanasia victims of the Nazi dictatorship, shows how important it is to advocate for social justice. These historical references are part of the representation and overcoming of discriminatory structures, which also plays a central role in the current theater competition “differently commemorate on stage”, such as the South German newspaper reported.

Memory as a central component

The “andersartig commemorate on stage” competition calls on theater groups to develop biographies of victims of the Nazi “euthanasia” crimes for the stage. There is a clear focus on historical narratives paired with current socio-political discourses. The focus is particularly on topics such as dealing with people with disabilities and promoting acceptance and diversity. A jury will award the best works and present the winning piece in Berlin. Further information is available on the website T4 Memorial Support Group to find.

These initiatives once again underline how theater can be not only an art form, but also a tool for raising awareness and sharing about social issues. Offering young people creative spaces in which they can express themselves and raise awareness is an investment in the future of our society.