Adolescence in Grimmen: emotional celebration with dance and good advice!

Adolescence in Grimmen: emotional celebration with dance and good advice!

The youth consecrations for 90 young people took place in Grimmen, Tribsees and Franzburg on Ascension weekend. The festive start of the event began at 10:30 a.m. in the Kulturhaus Grimmen, where the young participants were welcomed with applause and touching tears of family members. This tradition, which looks back on a long history, characterizes the solemn transition from youth to adulthood and is adapted to the needs of adolescents in Vorpommern-Rügen. The youth consecration originated in the 19th century when the German theologian Eduard Baltzer shaped it to create an atheistic alternative to church festivals [ wikipedia ].

Before the actual ceremony, group photos and final instructions for the young people took place. Manuela Block, the head of the youth consecration association, transmitted valuable tips to alleviate the nervousness of the participants a little. A spontaneous dance lesson belonged to a spontaneous dance lesson. The young people learned the Foxtrot and took part in dancing the local dance song "Dorfbums". Such activities promote self-confidence and the sense of community, which are central goals of the youth consecration [ Jugendweihe VR ].

message of the mayor

Mayor Marco Jahn took the opportunity to give the young people important values. He spoke about the meaning of honesty, respect, tolerance and compassion and encouraged the young people to find their own ways of life and determine their goals. This message is particularly important at a time when young people have to find their way around social and cultural challenges.

After the explanations and dances, the young people were officially honored. Finja and Lena kept a moving thank you speech in which they expressed their gratitude towards parents, grandparents, friends and other supportive people. After the ceremonial handed over the certificates to the youth consecration, emotional hugs followed that strengthened the bonds within the families and between friends.

celebrations and traditions

The event ended with a subsequent festival that lived up to the symbolic meaning of the youth consecration. In Vorpommern-Rügen, the consecration is not only seen as a festive cause, it also plays a central role in open youth work. These offers are open to all young people between the ages of 12 and 16, regardless of their participation in the youth consecration [ Jugendweihe VR ].

The youth consecration in Germany has changed since its beginnings, especially in the former GDR, where it was perceived as a state -political importance and forced event. Nowadays, youth celebrations are a private matter that contributes to celebrating the growing up and help to shape the transition from youth to adult life, similar to in many cultures worldwide [ wikipedia ].