Art project 1m² Human Rights”: Church installation for human dignity

Art project 1m² Human Rights”: Church installation for human dignity

In September 2025, the Evangelical Lutheran Community of Linden-Limmer will launch an open-air art installation entitled “1m² Human Rights” in front of the Bethlehem Church in Linden-Nord. The installation will remain in place for 30 days and will be enriched by photographer Wolf Böwig with impressive images from war and crisis areas. The aim is to raise awareness of the dignity of every human being, informs the website Hanover Church.

The opening of the exhibition will take place on August 30th at 6 p.m., accompanied by choirs from the entire parish and well-known laudators from the art scene. Pastor Marcus Buchholz emphasizes that the church community has a responsibility to draw attention to existential problems and to create space for discussions. A particularly important aspect of the project is the inclusion of young people who actively participate in the art project in collaboration with schools and in working with confirmation candidates.

Art and human rights in focus

Wolf Böwig pursues another goal with this exhibition: he wants to remind people of human rights issues and suspected threats to democracy in Germany. This type of art is particularly relevant as it commemorates 80 years after the end of World War II and addresses the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Böwig addresses current challenges and also refers to the grievances that are forcing millions of people to flee to Europe from crisis regions such as the Balkans or Ukraine. This brings the topic of cultural memory and remembrance into public discourse, raising the question of how we want to remember and live the past without forgetting the lessons of history, as in an article Academia is discussed.

The supporting program for the exhibition appeals to a broad audience. In addition to the opening, a number of other events are planned. On August 31st there will be an evening service with music, followed by film screenings, readings and other artistic performances. For example, the feature film “Capernaum, City of Hope” will be shown on September 10th, which addresses the complex questions about human dignity and the right to a life in peace. On September 28th, the exhibition will be ceremonially concluded with a thematic evening service.

Committed supporters and contributors

The installation is supported not only by the parish, but also by renowned sponsors, including the Hanns Lilje Foundation and the Hannover Foundation of the Sparkasse Hannover. This support is essential in order to ensure that the important themes of the exhibition continue to become louder in the dialogue with society in the future.

In summary, it can be said that the art project “1m² Human Rights” is not just an exhibition, but an important contribution to the culture of remembrance and an active commitment to upholding human rights in our time. It is not just up to the artists and organizers, but also up to each and every one of us to enter into this dialogue and raise our voices for a world in which human rights are respected.