According to the Federal President, the role of volunteers Frank Walter Steinmeier is still undervalued in German domestic debate. “If people don’t care more, this country will look poorer,” he said during a visit to Hoyerswerda. “And that’s why we depend on the backbone of this democracy, millions of volunteers, to take responsibility for others in our society, to survive and maintain and, if possible, expand the number of volunteers and volunteers.”
Steinmeier visited the Gundermann exhibition
Steinmeier came as part of the “Places of Encounter” series of visits. Hoyerswerda and accepted here at Kulturfabrik. After entering the city’s book of honors, he first saw an exhibition about songwriter Gerhard “Gundi” Gundermann (1955-1998), who enjoyed cult status as a singing excavator driver in the GDR.
Steinmeier then met with six young people involved in the youth council of the city of Hoyerswerda – in the opinion of the Federal President, a “school of democracy”. In a committee like this you can gain experience to be able to make a difference. Many communities are desperately looking for young people to take responsibility.
Steinmeier was a guest on “Repair Brigade”
Another thing in the program is a visit to the “Repair Brigade”. Damaged electrical equipment is routinely repaired free of charge by residents – especially retirees. Steinmeier tries to repair a table lamp.
Steinmeier: The cracks in society are widening
In conversations with people from the region, Steinmeier recalled the purpose of “Places of Encounter.” The project was launched at that time because there was a small rift in society which later widened. It’s about fighting for cohesion in society. That’s why you need a place where people from different generations and different walks of life can meet and talk to each other.
“The differences between East and West are sometimes smaller than you think. The differences between city and country are sometimes bigger than you think. And that’s why I use this format very specifically and often when going to rural areas, where health care is becoming more scarce, the distance to the doctor is longer, the distance to school is further, where gas stations and taverns may no longer be available, to talk to the people there, to counter the impression: ‘Nobody is interested in us,'” Steinmeier said.
Like other cities in East Germany, Hoyerswerda is a prime example of change since the fall of communism. The population fell from about 70,000 to about 30,000. In the new town of Hoyerswerda, around 40 percent of the housing stock has been demolished. From previously 55,000 people, now only 15,000 people live in the same area as before.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251124-930-333908/1
