On 10 May 2022, the first part of the tri-national music and history project entitled "Youth. Europe. Music" came to an end. The project, initiated by Prof. Matthias Bahr of Koblenz-Landau University in 2019 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, was suspended for two years due to the Covid 19 epidemic. From 1-10 May 2022, young participants from Wissembourg (France), Landau (Germany) and Oświęcim, finally had the opportunity for 9 days to get to know each other, learn about history, learn about the coexistence of the city and the Auschwitz Memorial, but also discover Kraków and Katowice.

The culminating point were two wonderful concerts entitled "The Weimar Triangle brought to life musically," performed by a tri-national youth string orchestra before an audience of almost 300 people, in the concert hall of the State Music School in Oświęcim on May 8 of this year, the day of the 77th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the following day at the Silesian Philharmonic Hall. The Honorary Patron of the Oświęcim concert was the Mayor of Oświęcim, Janusz Chwierut, and the event was attended by the Landrat of the District of Südliche Weinstrasse, Dietmar Seefeld, and the Mayor of Wissembourg, Sandra Fischer-Junck, as well as the project partners, families of the young musicians, and invited guests.

It was a time of hard work for the students, but also of fun and getting to know each other, which brought many new experiences and friendships.  We are looking forward to the second part of the project, which will take place in September in Landau and Wissembourg.

"Youth.Europe.Music" is a joint project of the International Youth Meeting Center in Oświęcim, Koblenz-Landau University, Wissembourg Art School, Südliche Weinstraße Music School, and the State Music School in Oświęcim.

Photo: Wolfgang Urbany