The district town of Saarlouis aims to set a sign for tolerance and respect with the "Saarlouis Days of Tolerance" taking place for the first time in 2023. The Cultural Office of the European City of Saarlouis and its institutions, in cooperation with Saarlouis schools and other partners, address this socially relevant topic in a series of events.
The Saarlouis Tolerance Days kick off with the exhibition "The Children of Auschwitz" by journalist and curator Alwin Meyer at the Saarlouis Municipal Museum, which will be opened on January 19th at 7 p.m. Since 1972, the author has dedicated himself in numerous books, exhibitions, lectures, and a film to this darkest chapter of history. For over 45 years, he has been searching worldwide for the few surviving children of Auschwitz. He has spoken with them sensitively and earned their trust. Many told him about camp life for the first time, about a childhood in which death was always present and never natural. On 38 panels, he tells the story of the life and death of the children and their mothers with impressive documents, photos, and texts.
The exhibition can be seen at the Municipal Museum in Kaserne VI during its opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
On January 27, the day of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism, students from MPG and SGS will clean the Stolpersteine laid in Saarlouis and remember the fate of the victims honored there. "Stolpersteine" is an initiative by the Cologne artist Gunter Demnig, which commemorates the victims of the National Socialist regime. In Saarlouis, 11 Stolpersteine were laid in 2010/2011 and 15 Stolpersteine in 2015. In 2023, Gunter Demnig will lay new Stolpersteine at various locations in Saarlouis on May 11, 2023, from 9 a.m.
On January 31st at 7 PM, we will address the question "Tolerance or better yet Respect – How resilient is our society against division and racism?" during a panel discussion at the Theater am Ring. The high-profile discussion panel explores where division begins on a small scale in everyday language, in seemingly harmless actions, and in interpersonal interactions. Henri Juda reports as a contemporary witness, the well-known and multiple award-winning filmmaker, author, and presenter Mo Asumang as a person affected, and Mohamed Maiga as president of the Forum for Intercultural Encounter e.V. Ramesch. Journalist Peter König will moderate the session.
Admission is free.
The VHS Saarlouis also invites you to events: The Christian-Jewish dialogue will continue on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 PM in the Evangelical Community Center Saarlouis. The focus of Pastor Jörg Beckers' lecture is Andreas Osiander and his defense script „Whether it is true and credible - A refutation of the antisemitic ritual murder accusations“. Participation is free of charge.
The next themed tour on Jewish life in Saarlouis is offered by the VHS on Thursday, March 30 at 3:00 pm. Gilbert Jaeck will show important places in Saarlouis and at the cemetery that held great significance for Jewish life in Saarlouis. This also includes the memorial room at the site of the former synagogue at Esther-Bejarano-Platz. The fee is 5 euros.
The VHS invites you to a free argumentation training against common clichés at the Donatuszentrum Saarlouis-Roden on Saturday, April 22 at 10:30 AM. Uwe Albrecht from the Adolf-Bender-Zentrum will demonstrate how to respond appropriately in situations where Jews, refugees, or minorities are disparaged.
Further information and registration options for these events are provided by the adult education center (VHS) of the city of Saarlouis via the website vhs-saarlouis.de and by phone at 06831 6989030.
