Colorful Grabow celebrates peace: a festival of integration and diversity!

Colorful Grabow celebrates peace: a festival of integration and diversity!

Grabow, Deutschland - The Citizens' Festival in Grabow developed last weekend into a colorful event that brought together people of different origins. Sameer Alzouabi, a Syrian migrant, describes the event as a complex occasion to remember the end of the Second World War. Under the motto "Peace", this celebration of the diversity offered a platform for a dialogue, especially with regard to the upcoming local elections. The “Buntesgrabow” citizens' initiative organized this voluntary event in cooperation with the Evangelical and Catholic Church and the Kulturlabor Grabow Association, which was entirely without commercial support and was in focus.

The invitation to visitors and drinks were particularly nice. This not only promoted cooperation, but also ensured a domestic ambience in which everyone felt welcome. Despite a rather small number of participants, the quality of the encounters was high. Children who actively participate in creative actions contributed significantly to the positive atmosphere.

a special expression of love for diversity

A highlight of the festival was the exhibition "When becoming friends" that impressively combined portraits of refugees and locals. This artistic representation was described as "extremely aesthetic" by a citizen, since the faces of the people depicted were in harmonious harmony. Khalil Alshadaideh, a Syrian refugee, found the exhibition deeply touching and identified it as a powerful symbol for successful integration. Khalil has also been very committed and learned German up to the B2 level; He is currently working in a factory in Hagenow.

Another prominent participant, Mohamad Sharif Mohamad, underlined the importance of such festivals for intercultural exchange. He sees refugees as active members of society who play a positive role in their new home. On May 22, 2025, he will even ceremoniously present the naturalization certificate after successfully completing a B2 German course and is now employed by "Lewens awning" in Ludwigslust.

integration across cultural borders

The goals of the citizens' festival also reflect the basic values ​​that the EU pursues in its international cultural policy. According to the platform of the European Union to promote cultural diversity, the EU strives to promote intercultural dialogue and thus support peace and social cohesion. An important instrument in this context is the creative Europe program, which also includes many initiatives to strengthen the cultural and creative sector. These endeavors are particularly relevant in view of the current challenges through migration and the ongoing social dialogue.

In addition, as explained in a resolution on the role of intercultural dialogue, the European Parliament calls for a proactive approach to cultural diversity. It is required that intercultural exchange is carried not only by state actors, but by all parts of society. This includes educational institutions, families and the media that should all contribute to promoting a respectful understanding between different cultures.

Overall, the citizens' festival in Grabow impressively showed how important community and cooperation are. It has set a sign of hope and an open dialogue and illustrates that integration is possible and enriching through cultural exchange.