Democracy Day in Zell: Students experience history up close!

Democracy Day in Zell: Students experience history up close!

The importance of democracy is often taken for granted, but students of IGS Zell had the chance to look at this from a different perspective on the latest Democracy. On October 21, 2024, the eighth graders experienced an exciting series of projects that not only conveyed theoretical knowledge, but also gained emotionally touching insights into the past.

As part of the Democracy Day, there were four different projects to choose from, which should help the students understand the relevance and value of a democratic society. One of them included a visit to a local synagogue, where the young people had the opportunity to learn from the history of the Jewish fellow citizens who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi era. Through this visit, the students were not only informed about historical facts, but were also able to reflect on the personal fates of those people who lived at a time when basic human rights were disregarded.

hike to stumbling blocks

Another project included a "hiding place" of the stumbling blocks in Zell. These small plaques that are embedded in the sidewalk are reminiscent of the victims of the Holocaust and commemorate the public of the dark story behind many names. The students learned that these works of art not only represent concrete, but also symbolically stand for the memory of life and the fates of those people who suffered from the regime.

The Bullayer Mayor, Mathias Müller, also attended the students and shared his personal motives why he is committed to local politics. He encouraged the young people to be active and use their voices. The conversation suggested many questions that the students employed about their own possibilities and initiatives in the political landscape.

In addition, the students had the opportunity to visit the new town hall of the Zell association. Here, a group found out to Jürgen Hoffmann, the mayor of the community, who also asked himself questions from the students and had an open ear for their concerns. In an inspiring exchange, the young people got an insight into how the municipal administration works and the importance of civic engagement in a democracy.

These events take place to promote awareness of the achievements of democracy and the challenges of their maintenance. Education initiatives like this are crucial to clarify and motivate the next generation to actively work for their rights and responsibilities in society. This is all the more important in a time when democracy can no longer be considered anywhere and the younger population is asked to deal with the past and to take a critical attitude towards the present.

The experiences of the students from IGS Zell illustrate the need to keep history alive and to convey in a way that is not only informative, but also emotionally appealing. This laid the foundation stone that today's participants appear as responsible citizens of tomorrow and stand out for the values of democracy.

More information on this topic can be found in a detailed report at www.rhein-zeitung.de .