Letters against loneliness: Christmas connects young and old!

Letters against loneliness: Christmas connects young and old!

On December 23, 2024, a very special tradition will continue in Blieskastel that fights against the loneliness of seniors at Christmas. The Von der Leyen High School once again wrote letters that were handed over by fifth grade students to the residents of the Haus am Berg senior residence. Under the motto “When words become precious gifts,” the children put a lot of heart and creativity into their works of art. The handover took place on December 10th, and the head of the retirement home, Dirk Mahren, emphasized the importance of the personal connection that comes from reading the letters. This campaign, which was initiated during the corona pandemic, is now very popular and will be continued in the future, they report Rhine Palatinate.

Letters as a bridge between generations

The intimate connection created through written communication not only brings joy among seniors, but also gives students the opportunity to learn empathy and appreciation. Students and teacher Petra Maton mentioned that the topics of the letters ranged from hobbies to favorite foods to questions about the seniors' Christmas plans. A 60-year-old resident praised the effort that went into the letters: “The words were so full of warmth – it really touched me.” This valuable interaction between young and old shows the relevance of the campaign and its positive response on both sides.

At the same time, an important correspondence is coming to light in the scientific world: the correspondence between the philosophers Hans-Georg Gadamer and Martin Heidegger, which lasted over five decades, is now being commented on and published by Jean Grondin and Mark Michalski. The letter radio not only documents their personal relationship, but also reflects the political upheavals from the Weimar Republic to the young Federal Republic. Readers can become part of in-depth discussions that span both philosophical and personal topics. This comprehensive collection provides valuable insights into the development of the two thinkers and is supplemented by additional, previously unpublished documents, such as the reports on Gadamer's habilitation thesis. Information on this is provided by the Klostermann Publishing House.