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Nine-year-old Elia inspires audience with speech about integration in Salzgitter
On October 5, 2025, the “Bunte Sole” prize was awarded in Salzgitter to promote diversity and integration.
Nine-year-old Elia inspires audience with speech about integration in Salzgitter
This year's “Bunte Sole” was awarded on October 5th in Salzgitter, a prize that honors people who support diversity and integration. Hundreds of guests gathered in the auditorium of the Fredenberg high school to attend the celebrations. The event, which is very much in keeping with this tradition, was not only a celebration of integration, but also a platform for emotional and moving speeches.
A very special moment of the event was the speech by nine-year-old Elia. With a lot of courage, the boy stepped up to the microphone and gave a powerful speech that was about solidarity and peaceful coexistence. Elia urged people not to exclude anyone, whether because of material things, such as the brand of football boots. His words were rewarded with thunderous applause and even a standing ovation from those present. Such moving messages illustrate the core values that the “Bunte Sole” embodies and that have promoted the spirit of community participation since 2013, when the prize was still known as the Integration Prize.
Prize winner: The DLRG local group Salzgitter-Bad
This year's award went to the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) Salzgitter-Bad local group. The team was recognized for their dedicated swimming course for immigrant women, which was an important step in overcoming their fear of water. The course took place in the thermal brine bath from January to June and brought together eight participants. Under competent guidance, they not only learned to master swimming, but also developed new trust in the swimming coaches and lifeguards.
Dincer Dinc, who moderated the event, emphasized that this project is more than just learning a sport. It's about promoting trust and encounters between people of different backgrounds. Many women reported personal progress that gave them a new sense of freedom and self-confidence. We have already received 18 additional requests from interested women for similar courses, which underlines the necessity and success of such initiatives.
A celebration of art and entertainment
The award ceremony was not only characterized by Elia's emotional speech, but also by a varied program that represented the diversity of cultures in Salzgitter. Guests could look forward to performances by Robert Beitsch & Crew, Anissa Loucif, the violin duo Angelstrings and dancers from the Kwiatkowski dance school. Mayor Stefan Klein proved to be a grateful listener and expressed his thanks to the many committed people who show their commitment to integration every day.
The “Bunte Sole” is more than just an award – it stands for togetherness in Salzgitter, for sharing stories and experiences and for the creation of a harmonious community. At a time when solidarity is needed more than ever, the event sends a strong message of hope and progress for the people of the region.