German-Ukrainian Dialogue: CRISP’s Dialogue Festival at Kosmos Festival in Chemnitz

As part of the German-Ukrainian Dialogue Project, funded by the German Ministry of the Interior, CRISP organized a unique dialogue festival within the framework of the Kosmos Festival in Chemnitz. This festival provided an exceptional platform for exchanging different perspectives on the current situation in Ukraine and the impacts of the Russian invasion.

Eight dedicated German-Ukrainian Tandems, who had previously taken part in our dialogue trainings, had the opportunity to share their personal experiences, thoughts, and stories in deep conversations. The dialogues, held with people passing by, focused on key topics such as peace, freedom, and democracy. Using various peace-building elements as conversation starters, we were able to engage passers-by during the Kosmos Festival, leading lively street dialogues. The aim was clear: to bring people into conversation and, where possible, to keep them engaged, allowing for the exchange of different perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of the complex realities shaped by the war in Ukraine.

The dialogue festival at the Kosmos Festival in Chemnitz was a great success, highlighting the importance of open and respectful conversations in times of crisis. It provided a valuable opportunity to build bridges between different communities and emphasized dialogue as a tool for understanding and democracy.