Young people from Rostock creatively design the sports hall: legal graffiti project!

Young people from Rostock creatively design the sports hall: legal graffiti project!

In Rostock Groß Klein, a group of committed young people, especially 16-year-old Till, campaigned for the redesign of a wall in the local sports hall. After months of effort, this area has now been declared a legal graffiti wall. The project, initiated by the young people of the “East Side Crew”, has received a positive response in the neighborhood and gives young artists the opportunity to express themselves creatively and legally. They were supported by the City Talks association, which connected them with the necessary contacts. This shows how important it is to offer young people a platform to live out their talents.

There is always debate about whether graffiti is art or vandalism. The discussion is particularly relevant because illegal graffiti is a growing problem in Rostock. According to NDR, 710 cases of property damage caused by graffiti were reported in the city in 2024, resulting in property damage of over 350,000 euros. Particularly affected are districts such as Kröpeliner Torvorstadt (KTV) and the city center.

Rules for creative work

The young people who are now allowed to spray in the sports hall have set their own rules: offensive and racist content is taboo, as is spraying on windows and doors. In the event of violations, the KOE (municipal company) is authorized to remove unwanted content. This commitment reflects their desire to deal responsibly with their new freedom and shows that they have a good knack for striking a successful balance between art and respect.

A similar movement can be seen in the German capital. In Berlin, meeting places for young people have become rare due to the increasing density of the urban area. The aim of the “Art for the Neighborhood” initiative is to create legal graffiti areas in order to offer young people a creative space. The need for such areas has increased in view of the overdevelopment of such places in recent years. A minimum size of 50 m² is recommended for such areas, and there is often a lack of options for disposing of spray cans, which are considered hazardous waste. It is clear that supporting youth through safe, legal art spaces is a concern that should be considered not only in Rostock, but in other cities as well.

The experts' view

Mathias Oppen, a full-time graffiti artist, emphasizes that graffiti should be viewed as a real art form. Such initiatives could help to build a bridge between graffiti culture and society and reduce prejudices. It is particularly important to make children and young people aware of the topic. According to the police, they often show a strong interest in graffiti literature and, for example, have hand signs in the form of paint stains on their clothing. It is important to make it clear during the conversation that illegal spraying not only has legal consequences, but can also be dangerous, for example when entering railway tracks.

Overall, the progress in Rostock shows how creative approaches can make youth voices heard. It remains to be hoped that similar projects will be established in other cities to take the needs of young artists into account.