The “Long Night of Democracy” will take place for the first time in BW on October 2nd. Various actions are planned across the country, all with the same goal: experiencing democracy.
What at first sounds dry and like a lot of talking and discussion should be colorful and, above all, interactive: municipalities in Baden-Württemberg want to stand up for democracy with very different activities – from spray courses in Mannheim to the democracy disco in Rastatt Make visitors think.
The idea comes from Bavaria, where the “Long Night of Democracy” has been taking place here since 2012. This year, Baden-Württemberg is also joining in for the first time. The idea generator in Baden-Württemberg is Michael Lesky from the Baden-Württemberg Adult Education Association. He says the aim of the campaign is to talk to people about democracy who would otherwise not be reached and to make democracy visible.
This allows us to reach people and get them excited about democracy that we would otherwise not be able to achieve.
Michael Lesky, Head of the Politics – Society – Environment program area, Adult Education Association Baden-Württemberg e. v
Democracy now too taken for granted?
According to Michael Lesky, democracy is now seen as “too obvious”, especially for generations who would never have experienced a time without democracy. The campaign is a good opportunity to stimulate reflection. Just those State elections in Germany or elections in Austria and other European countries would show how important the event is.
Patron and President of the State Parliament Muhterem Aras from the Greens wants to remind people what a “privilege democracy is”. She explained that everyone can do something to preserve democracy. “Show a clear stance against hatred, against racism, anti-Semitism, against every kind of exclusion and misanthropy. […] And exchange ideas with people who may have different opinions.” She also told SWR that, last but not least, the event strengthens the connection to democracy.
For State Parliament President Muhterem Aras (Greens), the “Long Night of Democracy” is important in order to appreciate and protect democracy more again. According to the Green politician, democracy is taken far too much for granted.
Last but not least, we strengthen our connection with democracy when we engage with it.
State Parliament President Muhterem Aras (Greens)
“Long Night of Democracy”: These are the organizations behind the project
There are several organizations in Baden-Württemberg behind the project. These include, among others, the democracy center, church institutions, the state center for political education, the state youth group and the adult education center association.
The “Long Night of Democracy” takes place everywhere in BW
There are events in more than 20 cities and municipalities where citizens can find out, discuss and exchange information about democracy. An overview of the planned Activities in the region can be found on the project website “The long night of democracy”. All Long Night of Democracy events are free.
Actions are planned here:
Aichtal, Baden-Baden, Balingen, Biberach, Böblingen, Bretten, Bruchsal, Dossenheim, Ehingen, Esslingen, Fellbach, Freiburg, Freudenstadt, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Heddesheim, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Horb am Neckar, Karlsruhe, Kehl, Kirchheim unter Teck, Kornwestheim, Künzelsau, Lörrach & Steinen, Ludwigsburg, Mannheim, Markdorf, Offenburg, Pforzheim, Rastatt, Reutlingen, Rheinfelden, Schopfheim, Sigmaringen, Sindelfingen, Sinsheim, Staufen, Stuttgart, Tettnang, Tuttlingen, Ulm, Waldshut-Tiengen, Wendlingen am Neckar, Wertheim, Winnenden.
Rastatt, Karlsruhe and Bruchsal
In the Rastatt district, events are planned in the town hall, the city museum, the Fruchthalle gallery and the Rossihaus, where the Long Night ends with a democracy disco.
In Karlsruhe, the International Meeting Center and the Baden State Theater are among those taking part.
The central place of events in Bruchsal (Karlsruhe district) is the market square with a communal food table. Some program items also take place in the town hall, the city library and at the old fire station.
Mannheim, Heidelberg, Leimen und Sinzheim
The Evening Academy in Mannheim organizes workshops, discussions, a spray campaign as well as music acts and a cabaret evening. At the Mannheim National Theater, for example, discussions are about dual citizenship.
In Heidelberg there is a pub quiz on the subject of the Basic Law, a poetry slam in Karlsrtorbahnhof, a democracy party and guided tours in the Eberthaus.
In Leimen (Rhein-Neckar district) the town hall will be open to children and in Sinsheim (Rhein-Neckar district) those interested can watch films at the adult education center.
Horb am Neckar, Tübingen and Reutlingen
In the market hall in Horb (Freudenstadt district) you are invited to the “Bunten Tisch”. Everyone brings what they like to eat. Trying something from your neighbor and starting a conversation is welcome. In other places, for example, there are games and readings about the Basic Law, a light installation with sayings about democracy and music.
At the Villa Metz in Tübingen, people bake stick bread over fire bowls while people talk about democracy.
In Reutlingen, for example, there is a lecture at the adult education center by long-time Today Journal spokesman Klaus Kleber about how journalism works. At the so-called freedom disco, the music played is chosen in a “democratic” manner.
Aalen, Ulm, Neu-Ulm and Ehingen
Aalen offers a “living library” – conversations “for borrowing” with people from a wide range of backgrounds in public places, such as in front of the city library or at the market fountain.
In Ulm, a lecture including a short workshop on the danger of radicalization will take place in the event room m25.
In Neu-Ulm, in addition to family cinema and reading campaigns, there are also contemporary witness reports at the vocational high school.
Ehingen (Alb-Donau-Kreis) offers family theater, exhibitions with music, a lantern campaign at Groggensee and also a picture book cinema and hands-on stations on the topic of democracy on the market square.
Freiburg, Lörrach and Offenburg
A marketplace has been set up in the Freiburg City Theater where the various institutions that support democracy present themselves. These are educational institutions run by churches, adult education centers, universities and many more.
Events take place in Lörrach, such as a fact check in the Three Countries Museum. It’s about recognizing fake news. In the castle courtyard, the Basic Law is translated and presented in every conceivable language.
There is a debate arena in a tent in front of the historic town hall in Offenburg (Ortenaukreis).
Heilbronn und Neckarsulm
In Heilbronn, the “Long Night of Democracy” starts at 5 p.m. with a concert on the market square. Afterwards, guided tours of the town hall, lectures on the topics of fake news and international politics as well as interactive workshops are planned.
In the Heilbronn district there are offers, especially for young people, in Track 3 in Neckarsulm, in the Weinsberg youth center and in the Catholic community center in Obersulm-Affaltrach. Among other things, it is about 75 years of the Basic Law as well as respect and tolerance among religions.
Workshops, readings, concerts and discussions are also planned in Künzelsau (Hohenlohe district) and Wertheim (Main-Tauber district).
Broadcast on Wed, October 2nd, 2024 12:00 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg, SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
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