Selected Events 2009

Spraying Democracy in Saxony

German host Leo Schmieding (left) with the four American and one German hip- hop activists

June 25, 2009. Leipzig's HipHop and Graffity Association - supported by a major U.S. Embassy grant - invited youth between the ages 14-27 to discuss and artistically express their active involvement in democracy building and involved youth in upcoming events to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of East Germany's Peaceful Revolution of 1989. A series of events in five major cities (Leipzig, Dresden, Bautzen, Chemnitz and Plauen) culminated in a project day on June 25 for about 300 kids (www.demokratie-verspruehen.de) in Leipzig, and the opening of a traveling exhibit. Four American social workers and Hip-Hop performers came to the region to work with young people and teachers. They took part in projects at Leipzig University, a roundtable discussion on HipHop and the Obama Presidency (June 19), and school outreach in Königsee, Thuringia (June 18). They also entertained the participants with rap music performances during the June 25 festivities. Marianne Birthler (commissioner for Stasi files) opened the day-long artistic celebration of democracy. Among the guests were Leipzig Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung, Consul General Katherine Brucker and Consul for Public Affairs James Seward.