The Seniors' Advisory Council had once again prepared an extensive programme.
The first highlight was the Seniors' Party on 11 June in Rüdersdorf's Kulturhaus. DJ "Jacke" provided atmospheric music right from the start. After being welcomed by Antje Kircheis, Chairwoman of the Seniors' Advisory Council, Mayor André Schaller recognised the commitment of the older generation to a dignified life in old age. He emphasised the importance of voluntary work for participation in social life in the community. He thanked the following people on behalf of all the volunteers with a certificate and a bouquet of flowers:
Birgit Scherfling von Gagern Lichtenow
Ingrid Helwing Hennickendorf
Carmen Nitsche Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Helga Feig Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Anita Beermeier Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Elise Koska Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Manfred Masek Hennickendorf
Georg Jagiela Hennickendorf
Hildegard Baumann Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
The programme continued with lively music. Mechthilde vom Kalkofen led through the programme and created a good atmosphere with a lot of humour. Over coffee and cake, there was plenty to talk about and, of course, plenty of dancing. The shanty choir from Kremmen delighted the guests with their atmospheric sea shanties and other songs. Many guests sang along. Later, the children from Cracy-house came and delighted us with a short programme. Around 200 guests took part in the event.
Another highlight was the eyewitness talks at Heinitzgymnasium in Rüdersdorf on 12 June. Eight eyewitnesses spoke about their lives after the end of the war and at the time of the founding of the GDR. 25 secondary school pupils took advantage of the talks and asked many questions. One pupil said: "The conversations are the stories behind the history that are not in any textbook".
The discussion round on 13 June in the Protestant community centre with the head of the Rüdersdorf municipal building department, Mr Knobloch, and the managing director of WBG Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, Mr Dahms, was also very interesting. The two gentlemen explained the building projects in the town centre to the 30 or so senior citizens present. They answered many questions, some of which were critical.
In a small group at the home of the Rüdersdorf local history association, the Rüdersdorf Kulturhaus, on 14 June , pupils from the third year of primary and secondary school got to grips with everyday school life around 70 years ago. In addition to slates, styluses and school desks with inkwells, they also learnt lots of interesting facts, such as what a cane was used for, that up to six year groups were taught in one classroom and that there were separate school areas for girls and boys. There were lots of interesting questions to answer over malt coffee and carrots.
The senior gymnastics workshop with around 70 participants was a special highlight on 15 June in the "M. A. Nexö" cultural centre. The children from the primary school's after-school care centre provided the warm-up with plenty of humour and also took part in the individual stations. They were particularly fond of the swinging cloth and the dance station. There were also many interesting conversations over coffee and cake. Mechthilde vom Kalkofen once again created a good and relaxed atmosphere with her songs.
We eagerly awaited the top candidates for the new Bundestag in constituency 59 on 16 June. The following candidates took part: Hans-Georg von der Marwitz for the CDU, Stephen Ruebsam for the SPD, Kerstin Kühn for Die Linke, Jan Sommer for Bündnis 90-die Grünen and Andreas Schuffenhauer for the AfD. The candidate for the FDP had sent his apologies. Around 25 senior citizens were particularly interested in how the potential members of the new Bundestag intend to promote a dignified life for the older generation in the Bundestag. They were particularly interested in participation in social life, pensions, affordable, barrier-free housing, local public transport, care and support in the event of illness by well-trained carers. There was a lively discussion.
In keeping with tradition, donations were once again collected for the holiday stay of the children of Chernobyl. During the 24th Brandenburg Seniors' Week, 766.05 euros were donated. We would like to thank the senior citizens of Rüdersdorf for this. The children will visit us on 15 August 2017.
It doesn't work without sponsors. We would like to thank Sparkasse MOL, Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, E.ON Edis, Bäckerei Lehmann Altrüdersdorf, the municipality of Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, the staff of Kulturhaus "M. A. Nexö" Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, the state of Brandenburg and the many volunteers for their support.
Antje Kircheis
Chairman of the Seniors' Advisory Council
of the municipality of Rüdersdorf near Berlin