In the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation's operational project, 10 fourth-grade classes from 10 elementary school in Osnabrück research and write, paint and create material for their own "children's history book" on various topics of Osnabrück city history. In a second step, they work together with the LUPE music theater team on a three-day film and theater project on the topic chosen by the class.

Hands-on city history - by children, for children

The individual history book pages designed by the pupils are gradually turned into a joint book (which is distributed to everyone) and 10 films, which can be viewed and discussed by everyone together with the book material. All the work is also brought together in a project film and presented to the pupils in the stylish cinema setting of the Cinema Arthouse in Osnabrück.

Project film and history book created

The special thing about "Barbarossa" is the children's point of view, the intensive engagement with a chosen topic and the preparation of the topics for other learners. The aim of the project is for children for children in Osnabrück to convey the city's history from a child's perspective in an exciting and entertaining way and to get involved and contribute with their own abilities.

How can the city's history be brought to life - and how can it be told with today's tools? Osnabrück primary school pupils explored this question in a special cultural project organized by the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation. The Lupe music theater put the project into practice in cooperation with ten elementary school in the region. A total of ten short films were produced, which show Osnabrück's history in a completely new, creative way - researched, written and acted by children. The Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation developed and supported this cultural education project with great conviction, as it is an example of how young people can discover their own urban space with curiosity and creativity and actively participate in cultural education.

"Barbarossa is not a lollipop!" - Cinematic learning at historical sites

Accompanied by art historian Caroline Bäßler and filmmaker Angelino Wagener, 16 school classes visited important historical sites in Osnabrück. They researched on site, filmed interviews, developed play scenes, rap texts and moderations. The extensive material was turned into a film compilation entitled "Barbarossa ist kein Lolli!", which has now been premiered at the Cinema-Arthouse Osnabrück - with popcorn and great applause, of course. The cinema premiere was not only an emotional highlight, but also an expression of great appreciation for the work of the young filmmakers. As a memento, all participating children received an "honorary lollipop" and lots of applause for their contributions.

Discovering Osnabrück - through the eyes of children

Each class researched its own topic - from Osnabrück Cathedral to the Old City Scales, from the main railway station to the harbor. Places such as the Piesberg, the Hase or the Felix Nussbaum House were also explored from a child's perspective. Their exploration not only resulted in exciting short films, but also ten colorful double-page spreads with their own drawings and texts, supplemented by historical classifications from the accompanying experts.

A project with a lasting impact

What began as a pilot project at Haste elementary school has now developed into an exemplary model of cultural education work. The Bohnenkamp Foundation sees this as an important contribution to the promotion of creativity, historical education and media skills among children - and to the active participation of young people in urban society.