Luisa and peace

Luisa Frieden

Some people backpack through Australia after graduating from high school, others go straight to university or "chill out" first. Luisa Frieden does things differently. She is doing voluntary service in Poland and is looking the horrors of the Second World War in the face: at the memorial site of the former Lublin-Majdanek concentration and extermination camp, the 18-year-old will spend a year looking after German-speaking day and seminar groups and organising her own workshops. In the Macher der Woche interview, she explains why this is her contribution to democracy.

They are going on a mission for peace in September and have the same name. Is that a coincidence?

Luisa Frieden (laughs): Yes, of course. But I'm very proud of my surname and I've already been asked a few times that it's a nice name. That makes me happy.

Why do you decide to spend a year at the memorial site of a former concentration camp at the age of 18? It's not exactly light fare.

I've always been interested in history. I am particularly interested in the National Socialist era, as the events of that time seem so incomprehensible to us today. The other aspect is that a teacher once told us about her year abroad and how much she benefited from it in her personal development. In combination, I came across the organisation Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste (ASF), which offers voluntary services in projects in various areas, e.g. work with socially disadvantaged people or historical educational work. That's when I thought: that's a good fit. Originally, I wanted to go to France. But at the selection seminar, the countries Poland and the Czech Republic also presented themselves. And Poland in particular is steeped in history. I wouldn't have dared to go to the USA or Israel. I wanted to stay in Europe.

The 18-year-old is in the final stages of completing her technical college entrance qualification at the Vocational School Centre for Health and Social Services. Following her voluntary service, she plans to study social work. In her free time, she trains three times a week at the Chemnitz Swimming Club.

What exactly are you planning to do?

In September, I will be travelling to Poland, or rather to Lublin in eastern Poland. That's on the border with Ukraine. And I'll be doing a whole year's voluntary service there in the field of historical education. This means that I will be working at the Lublin-Majdanek Memorial Centre. It was a former concentration and extermination camp during the Second World War. I will spend the first few days familiarising myself with the site. Then each volunteer will draw up a concept for guided tours and from spring I will guide groups of visitors through the memorial.

How do you live, what do you do for a living?

We are very well prepared by ASF and are supported on site. For example, we are prepared to react appropriately to emotional comments from visitors. There were several preparatory meetings where I got to know the other volunteers. 16 volunteers will start in Lublin in September. They come from Germany and Ukraine. We live in a student hall of residence. We receive a basic allowance of 900 euros and a bus ticket. In order to publicise the idea even more, we are being asked to find sponsors who will support us on a monthly basis and whom we will provide with regular reports. I'm also still involved, asking people in my neighbourhood and companies.

Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste is a non-profit organisation with currently 1,300 members, which was founded in 1958 by Protestant Christians. Against the backdrop of guilt for National Socialist crimes, the organisation's goals are reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. You can register as a sponsor for people on the website www.asf-ev.de.

What do you know about the place?

Majdanek is rather unknown in Poland, but also in Germany. The fact that Auschwitz is better known is probably due to the fact that not so much has survived in Majdanek. Lublin was probably chosen because the city had a large Jewish community at the time and was relatively central in Europe. It was here that the National Socialists forced Jews, communists and political opponents from all over Europe to do hard labour and exterminated them.

Have you been there before?

A fortnight ago with my parents. That's also where I met the volunteer I'm replacing. I'm glad I did, it was very impressive. I'm looking forward to the year, but I have respect. The visit now has relieved and encouraged me. I'm sure it will be a valuable time that I can use to make a difference.

In what way?

Right-wing parties are becoming increasingly popular in Europe, whether in Poland, Italy, France or here in Germany. I'm very concerned about this because I'm afraid that it will lead to revanchist tendencies and a forgetting of history, that history will be neglected. There have also been many headlines comparing the Holocaust. That shows me that the topic is being forgotten a little. I see this as a major problem and a threat to our democracy in Europe and worldwide. And for international peace. That's why this is my contribution to supporting the culture of remembrance and peace and democracy in Europe.

You say that as a matter of course. Then there are headlines about ninth-graders giving the Hitler salute in Auschwitz. How do you explain that?

It was really hard to see that. For young people, it was so long ago and in many families it's not talked about much anymore. It's not the most popular topic at the dinner table. That's no excuse, of course. I suspect that such actions are a kind of provocation. You are doing something forbidden. It shows that the topic has not yet been sufficiently addressed.

What would you do about it?

More lessons. We go through everything in history from the Stone Age onwards, that's a lot of topics. With one hour of history per week in ten to twelve years, there is not enough time for many things. I think it's important for schools to organise trips to memorial sites. Unfortunately, mine doesn't. But this is an important part of school education. If that's not possible, you can also visit the Park of the Victims of Fascism. Eyewitness accounts are also always important. History must also take place outside the classroom.

You are now doing this extensively.

Yes, I see it as an opportunity to learn more about myself and the world. I have to find my way around a foreign country on my own.

Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture in 2025. What do you expect?

The word "culture" also refers to a culture of remembrance, and it is important to me that this aspect is not ignored. I am proud of our city and I am looking forward to the international exchange during the year. We will all benefit from it and hopefully learn from each other.