Saarlouis: 12 reasons why the city deserves its secret title!

Saarlouis: 12 reasons why the city deserves its secret title!

Saarlouis, Deutschland - On September 19, 1991, a tragedy happened in Saarlouis that still reverberates in the hearts of people. Samuel Kofi Yeboah, a refugee from Ghana, died due to a presumably right -wing extremist arson attack on an asylum seeker home in Fraulautern. This year his death was for the 30th time and was recognized by the district town of Saarlouis, the Integration Advisory Board and the Evangelical and Catholic parish. Deputy Günter Melchior recalled the circumstances in which refugees and asylum seekers were confronted with prejudices and hostility. The arson attack, in which 18 other people were seriously injured in addition to Samuel Yeboah, is considered a painful example of xenophobia in Germany.

memories and reflections

During the memorial event, a wreath was laid down at the grave of Samuel Yeboah. Pastor Volker Hassenpflug spoke moving words about the unfulfilled dreams and hopes of the young man, who was looking for a better life. The celebration offered a room for reflections on German society from then and now. The stories of four refugees who have come to Saarlouis since 2015 illustrated the continuing challenges in relation to acceptance and integration.

In a time when racism and prejudices are present in many companies, Patricio Maci from the integration advisory board emphasized the need for tolerance and openness. "Let all of us become more tolerant," he said, because Germany's diversity is ultimately its true wealth. The commemoration therefore had not only a nostalgic, but also a future -oriented component by being a request for active examination of the topic of refugees and integration in today's society. For many Saarlouiser, the question remains: "How could something like this happen in our city?", A persistent topic of discussion.

But Saarlouis also has a different side: As the “secret capital of the Saarland”, the city is considered its unique charm and history. These different facets, which are visible in the commemoration and the traditions of the city, show that Saarlouis deals with both their past and their current state. More about the city and its unique culture can be found at Stadt Saarlouis Experience.