Stadtbaukasten Offenbach - an informative compendium for elementary school

Adults go to the internet, library or museum if they want to know more about a topic. Children are a more demanding target group, they want to be interested in a topic first. Things get even more complicated when it comes to history, places or personalities. Adolescents tend to wave it off at first: why should they be interested in Goethe, the art of writing, Rumpenheim Castle or the history of the city when their lives take place in their own microcosm? Or why should teachers from abroad laboriously prepare local knowledge when it is enough to just cover the broad outlines of the curriculum? Because only knowledge and understanding of one's own environment promotes respectful interaction with it, say Brigitte Brautmann and Marina Kampka. This is why the two artists are working on a city toolbox for Offenbach, which provides teachers at the city's 24 elementary school with information, tips and inspiration.

It's about identity and a different narrative of home: "From conversations, we know this moment of surprise, this "this is here? How exciting," explains Brautmann, who wants to collect precisely these moments and make them fruitful. "Offenbach is a major city with a long tradition and interesting stories, and we want to process this and make it available in an appealing way." Also to promote the bond with the city, because in addition to imparting knowledge, everything is also about the emotional connection to the city. "It should be treated with respect, you can be proud of it, you can stand up for it," adds Kampka.

In terms of content, the "StBK_OF" is intended to be a collection of relevant places, people and ideas associated with Offenbach. Inside are publications, maps, ideas for a city rally, museum offers and much more.

"Because identity also promotes cohesion and, in the best-case scenario, democratic coexistence, the city kit also fits in well with the Partnership for Democracy," says Frank Weber. "When we talk about civil society, we have to start with and about the youngest inhabitants of our city. Offenbach is their living space, their home, with which they identify and for which they are committed and, for example, no longer carelessly throw away paper, but take care of their surroundings."

The Partnership for Democracy Offenbach am Main is committed to promoting democracy and combating extremism. It is organized by the AWO Kreisverband Offenbach Land e.V. on behalf of the City of Offenbach am Main, Municipal Prevention Office (Public Order Office). The Partnership for Democracy Offenbach am Main is supported by the federal program "Demokratie leben! Active against right-wing extremism, violence and misanthropy" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sport.