YOUNION

YOUNION: Creative and international work at a historical site
YOUNION is creative and international cooperation and historical-political education at the German-Polish memorial site
Stalag VIII A. Every summer, young people come together in the European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec to experience history first-hand at a site that has been almost forgotten for decades: the former German prisoner of war camp Stalag VIII A.
In various workshops, young Europeans will explore National Socialism and the POW camp system – in particular the victims of the Stalag VIII A POW camp who were imprisoned in the camp between 1939 and 1945 under inhumane conditions and used for forced labour. It is estimated that of the approximately 120,000 prisoners of war registered in the camp, around 10,000 died as a result of the miserable conditions in Stalag VIII A.
Diversity in memory
From 20 July to 3 August 2024, around 30 young European men and women will spend 15 days together in Görlitz-Zgorzelec. During this two-week meeting during the summer holidays, participants will have the opportunity to get to know young people from other cultures, exchange experiences about the political situation in their countries and reflect on a common future in Europe. They will make new friends, practice trust and tolerance towards others and work as a team. The theme ‘Diversity in Mind’ will provide a framework for the various programme points on many levels. The aim, for example, is to provide more clarity on the nationalities of the prisoners of war at Stalag VIII A, while at the same time highlighting the diversity of forms of commemoration.
Participants:
Young people aged 16 to 26 from Germany, Poland, Italy and Ukraine have been invited to participate. They will work together in archaeological workshops, audio workshops and art workshops and then present the results to the public.
Closing event of the project
On 2 August 2024, the participants will present the results of their two-week workshop work at an event open to the public and in front of invited guests from the world of politics, society and culture. The event will take place on Friday, 2 August 2024 at 12.00 pm at the monument to the victims of Stalag VIII A and, in addition to the presentation, will include a commemoration event with speeches, a wreath and flower laying ceremony and a joint minute of silence. The event will be held in English.
Contact:
For more information, please visit our website at www.mmm-younion.eu or contact us directly at info@mmm-younion.eu.