The second encounter between students from the Altona Gymnasium (high school) in Hamburg/Germany and the Gymnasium Number 3 in Koszalin (Zespół Szkół Nr 11 im. ks. Jana Twardowskiego)/Poland took place September 8-15, 2012 in Koszalin and in the Borne Sulinowo Memorial Site in Poland.
After a two-day stay in Koszalin and Kolobrzeg, the first meeting in the school, and visit by the German students with Polish families, everyone traveled to Borne Solinowo for an introductory lecture at the memorial site.
The 14-19 year old students worked together with artists from Hamburg/Germany and Koszalin and Wroclaw/Poland. The students participated in workshops on theater, dance, music/percussion, song, and film. In only three days, the various groups developed contributions for the program that was subsequently performed at the memorial site in Borne Sulinowo and in the school in Koszalin.
The students dealt with the German/Polish and Polish/Russian history of Borne Sulinowo. Borne Sulinowo was known as Groβ Born until 1945 and was a German military training facility. During World War II it became a prisoner of war camp. From 1945-1992, Borne Sulinowo was a Soviet army a garrison town. Since 1992, a new city has been constructed in Borne Sulinowo.
Both the old and new Borne Sulinowo is visible in several locations throughout the city. Ruins, graves, and vacant buildings are witness to its ever-changing history. The students confronted the history of three locations: the remains of the prisoner of war camp, the ruins of the former German Officers Mess Hall, and a former Soviet army barracks. Based on these locations, the students developed their ideas.
Participating artists: Ines Biedermann, singer-songwriter / Dirk Achim Dhonau, musician / Marta Łuczków, dancer / Waldemar Ratuszniak, actor / Doro Carl, film-editing / artistic director Jens Huckeriede†.
Video-Diary: Johannes Kubin
sponsored and supported by: Gymnasium Altona, Hamburg; Gymnasium Zespół Szkół Nr 11 im. ks. Jana Twardowskiego/Koszalin, Polen; Gedenkstätte Borne Sulinowo; thede Filmproduktion; Generalkonsulat der Republik Polen; Hans Kauffmann Stiftung, Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S.; ; Eder&Partner; Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk; Behörde für Arbeit, Soziales, Familie und Integration, Hamburg; Behörde für Schule und Berufsbildung, Hamburg; Senatskanzlei der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg; Gabriele Fink Stiftung; Mercado, EKZ Altona-Ottensen GbR; XKONTOR COMMUNICATIONS EK.; Neumann Consulting – International Relations; ENRS European Network Remembrance and Solidarity.
