What does it mean to live in the countryside? What potential does this way of life offer, and what makes it special? How do people shape this life, their community, and their environment?
Our projects and activities were aimed at all active people in rural areas of Brandenburg (and beyond) who want to implement ideas or initiatives and are looking for support from like-minded people. We looked into the past and the future, while also questioning stereotypes and strengthening civic engagement.
Trebnitz Castle Talks
2009 to 2023
The “Trebnitz Castle Talks” were a space for open dialogue on changing historical, political, cultural, and regional topics. Alongside knowledge transfer through lectures and panel discussions on the one hand, and a relaxed atmosphere in the informal part of the evening with a glass of wine and a buffet on the other, the format provided stimulating discussions and encouraged critical reflection.
Academy of Village Heroes
2017 to 2021
The project was aimed at all active people in rural areas of Brandenburg who want to implement ideas or initiatives and are looking for support. Training packages provided help for self-help, regular meetups were organised, and a trip to Brussels offered opportunities for exchange and to expand personal networks.
Training series: “Using local history in an activating way!”
The history of a village offers many opportunities to bring people and groups together. Participants from seven villages received creative ideas and practical guidance on how to engage collaboratively with local history. Together with experts, they developed ways to present historical facts and everyday stories in an engaging and contemporary way – for example through exhibitions, short videos, podcasts, digital text series, photo series, or oral history interviews.
The results can be found on the project website www.dorfgeschichte-digital.de (in German)
IST-ZEIT-GALERIE
The project deals with the influence of East German transformation experiences on political opinion formation. The focus is on the question of how the upheavals of the post-reunification period continue to shape society and political debates in East Germany. The aim was to make different perspectives visible, to question polarisation, and to foster a better understanding of both past and present developments.
More information about the project can be found on the website ist-zeit-galerie.de (in German).