Dispute over school containers and Steuben monument: Potsdam is head!

Dispute over school containers and Steuben monument: Potsdam is head!

Potsdam, Deutschland - The Dalton-Gymnasium in Potsdam is faced with a difficult decision. The construction of a container system is planned to cover the space required by the school founded in 2022. However, this causes excitement, because the federal government for environmental and nature conservation (BUND) has objected. The main reason: At the locations provided, branches would have to be cut old trees. The federal government suggests setting up the containers without such an impairment, which would result in a new planning process. Until then, the students help themselves with rooms that they have to share with the upper level center I. A truly tense undertaking that will certainly make some waves.

Not only in school policy. There are also discussions about the Steuben monument in the city. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who is considered a hero in the USA because he reorganized the continental army, could soon switch from the Filmmuseum to Steuben-Platz. Former Mayor Jann Jakobs pushes the idea, but the city councils show themselves shared in terms of the list.

cultural highlights and social challenges

on Saturday Potsdam also becomes the scene of the first pub choral festival. 15 choirs from Germany will perform in the wash house, while free concerts by four choirs are offered in the city center from 11 a.m. - a great opportunity to enjoy the region's musical variety. Although all 1100 tickets for the festival are already out of print, the free concerts certainly attract numerous visitors. The Potsdam pub choir was launched six years ago and now has 62 members.

But the news is not just from the positive side. In the Holy Spirit Church in Werder (Havel), a poster for a propalestinian demo was discovered, which led to a series of anti-Semitism allegations on social media. This demonstration is planned for Saturday, and such incidents have been not uncommon lately. Anti -Semitic attacks, especially in connection with such protests, apparently increase.

increased anti -Semitism in the region

The numbers speak a clear language. According to the research and information center Anti-Semitism (RIAS), there were already more anti-Semitic incidents in memories in Berlin in the first half of 2024 than throughout the year before. Smokes, damage to memorials and targeted attacks on stumbling blocks always make headlines. Rias notes that after Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, the number of such incidents continued to increase. The city was also not spared in Potsdam - for example, the “Library of the Burnt Books” memorial was the goal of a violent assault in which books were set on fire.

Sensitization to anti -Semitism becomes more necessary than ever. Pastor Jonas Börsel and the parish in Werder call for solidarity and clearly show themselves against anti -Semitism by keeping the doors of their church open during the day. This is an invitation to everyone who is looking for a place of dialogue in this challenging time.

The social plans in Potsdam are as diverse as it is multi -layered. While the pub sheep female organ enriches cultural life, the examination of anti -Semitism and social tensions remains urgent and relevant. A look at the statistics shows us that the need for action remains great - everywhere in Germany and also in Brandenburg.