Gronau Comprehensive School and “Grandmas Against the Right” Make a Statement at the European Festival of Cultures

At the European Festival of Cultures on May 17, 2026, at Kurt-Schumacher-Platz in Gronau, the Gronau Comprehensive School and “Grandmas Against the Right” joined forces to stand up for democracy, diversity, and social cohesion. Through a photo booth activity, numerous conversations, and a fundraiser for EXIT Deutschland, they invited visitors to take a stand and engage in dialogue with one another.

June 7, 2026 by Daniel Kampmann
About twenty people of various ages are standing together on a lawn for a group photo. In the foreground, several people are holding a large banner that reads “#NieWiederIstJetzt” and features the logo of the Gronau chapter of “Omas gegen Rechts” (Grandmas Against the Right). The group includes older and younger adults, teenagers, and several children. Some are wearing buttons or vests from the initiative. In the background, residential buildings, trees, and the towers of a church are visible. The photo was taken during the Europe Festival at the Platz der Kulturen in Gronau.
© Comprehensive School Gronau

A booth for meeting and interacting

Several people are standing at various booths at a street festival in a square. In the foreground is a round bar table with flyers, buttons, and an open box. On the left stands a person wearing a light-colored vest from the “Grandmas Against the Right” initiative. In the center of the picture, several teenagers and adults are engaged in conversation. Behind them are a pavilion with blue balloons, information and hands-on activities, and a photo booth. In the background are shops, seating areas, and other festival visitors. The scene conveys the impression of a well-attended and open exchange between different generations.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Students from the Gronau Comprehensive School and the “Grandmas Against the Right” initiative struck up conversations with numerous visitors at the Europe Festival.

As a “School Without Racism – School With Courage,” numerous students took part in the joint initiative. The booth provided a space for people of different ages and with different life stories to come together. Many visitors took the opportunity to talk with the students and the members of “Grandmas Against the Far Right” and to discuss the importance of democracy, respect, and social engagement.

The intergenerational nature of the event was particularly enriching. Time and again, students could be seen walking around the festival grounds alongside the “Grandmas Against the Far Right,” striking up conversations with guests and promoting respectful coexistence.

Clear Messages in the Photo Booth

Five people of different ages pose in front of a colorful backdrop featuring a heart in rainbow colors. They hold up signs they designed themselves with messages such as “Diversity Unites,” “Racism Is Not an Opinion,” “Hate Makes You Ugly,” and “Say NO to RACISM!” toward the camera. The group stands close together and smiles. The photo was taken at the Europafest photo booth and shows people from different generations making various statements against racism and exclusion.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Diversity has many voices: At the photo booth, visitors made their stance against racism and exclusion visible.

A particular highlight was the communal photo booth. Visitors could have their photos taken with statements of their own choosing, thereby sending a visible message against racism and exclusion. Messages such as “Diversity unites,” “Racism is not an opinion,” and “Hate makes you ugly” made it clear what the campaign stood for.

Two young participants are standing in front of a colorful backdrop featuring a heart in rainbow colors. They are smiling at the camera and holding a sign together that reads “Hate makes you ugly.” In the background, you can see seating areas and other visitors to the Europe Festival.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Visitors also expressed their views on diversity and respect at the photo booth.

The photos taken show just how diverse the people who took part in the event were—and just how strong the support is for the values of openness, tolerance, and democracy.

Donations to EXIT Germany

In addition to the discussions and hands-on activities, donations were also collected for EXIT Deutschland. The initiative supports people who want to leave far-right groups, thereby making an important contribution to promoting democracy and prevention efforts.

About twenty people of various ages are standing together on a lawn for a group photo. In the foreground, several people are holding a large banner that reads “#NieWiederIstJetzt” and features the logo of the Gronau chapter of “Omas gegen Rechts” (Grandmas Against the Right). The group includes older and younger adults, teenagers, and several children. Some are wearing buttons or vests from the initiative. In the background, residential buildings, trees, and the towers of a church are visible. The photo was taken during the Europe Festival at the Platz der Kulturen in Gronau.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Members of the “Grandmas Against the Far Right” initiative and students from the “School Without Racism – School With Courage” club are joining forces at the Europe Festival in Gronau to stand up for diversity and democracy.

The European Festival of Cultures provided the perfect setting for this joint initiative. The Gronau Comprehensive School would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to “Grandmas Against the Right” for their collaboration and looks forward to further joint projects promoting respect, diversity, and democracy.

Three people of different ages are standing in front of a photo booth backdrop featuring a rainbow-colored heart. They are holding up a sign that reads “Diversity Sets the Standard” and smiling at the camera. In the background, you can see seating areas and other visitors to the Europe Festival.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Diversity Takes Root in Schools: The message on the sign sums up the mission of the “School Without Racism – School With Courage” project.


Under a pavilion, a schoolgirl stands in front of a colorful display board featuring a heart in rainbow colors. In the foreground, a person is seen from behind, wearing a light-colored vest with the words “Grandmas Against the Right.” The two appear to be talking to each other. In the background, other elements of the booth are visible, including a poster for the initiative, wooden paneling, and parts of the pavilion. The image depicts an intergenerational conversation taking place during the Europe Festival.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Generations in Conversation: A student from Gronau Comprehensive School talks with a member of the “Grandmas Against the Right” initiative at the Europe Festival.