Can a single person influence the course of history in times of international integration and globalisation? Personal histories of civic activism in the 20th and 21st century show that the individual still can make a difference. But civic activism also raises the question of whether it is justified or neven necessary (and if so, to what extent) to break the rules or a would-be peace to stand up for your values and beliefs.
Frank Reiniger
Historian and pedagogue
Berlin, Germany
Bjørn de Wildt
Theatre director and
educator
Berlin, Germany
Photos: © Körber-Stiftung/David Ausserhofer
The participants of this workshop had the chance to engage in intensive cross-generational encounters with civic activists from different European countries and historical contexts. They were introduced to the methodology of oral history and had the opportunity to prepare and conduct professional interviews with civic activists from various age groups. As individuals, these civic activists decided to challenge an existing situation at some point. Which lessons can be learnt from their different experiences of self-assertion in European history? Where can examples of people who raised their voices to bring about change be found? And what do the participants want to improve today?
All their experiences and debates were collected and brought together in an immersive stage production, which the participants of the workshop presented during the closing ceremony.
