As a freelance journalist I am planning the following project: During a journalistic journey I would like to explore the German-Polish border. In 40 stages I am aiming to trace and discover this border in the middle of Europe by bicycle. The focus will be on the people who live, work and are active here. Each day of the journey encounters and interviews are planned with people to the west and to the east of the Oder and Neisse rivers, with people from Germany and Poland – individually and together.
The questions are: What separates and what connects people at this border? What are the cultural differences and what are the similarities? What role do the two rivers play for the two countries? Where can we find engagement, connections and bridges across the river? What is the importance of these connections for a united Europe? How could even more connections be created? How do people in rural regions affected by structural change and far away from urban centers shape their lives? Do the issues on people’s minds differ in the two countries? What role does the history of the 20th century play for people on either side of the national border? What role does nature conservation play in the development of the regions? What role does economic development play? Why and how do people get involved in this region along Oder and Neisse?
The plan of this journalistic project is to publish journalistic texts and photos daily on my own blog. Afterwards, the material will be published as a book. Readings and lectures are to follow.
