Verleihung des Internationalen Bremer Friedenspreises der Stiftung die schwelle

In the organizer's words:

This year's Bremen International Peace Prize of the Threshold Foundation goes to a cultural worker from Lebanon and his team as well as to an initiative from Niger and Germany and their commitment against a colonial education policy in the West African country. The award, worth a total of 10,000 euros, will be presented on May 8, starting at 6 p.m., at Bremen City Hall. Admission is free. Registration is not required.

"Especially in a time full of wars and conflicts, our award winners show that culture opens doors to a more peaceful coexistence," says Anette Klasing, Chairwoman of the Bremen Threshold Foundation, which has awarded the prize every two years since 2003. "Both award winners also share an impressive commitment to children and young people, which is based on a clear 'no' to exclusion. Because this is the breeding ground for anger, conflict, radicalization and violence."

This year's prize for pioneering peace work goes to Mahdi Yahya and his Peace of Art project in Lebanon . With music and artistic projects, he creates spaces for dialog, encounters and non-violent conflict resolution across social and religious boundaries - and all this under very difficult political and social conditions. "This recognition means more to us than words can express," says Yahya. "To have our work for peace and dignity recognized in this way is a profound honor - not only for me personally, but for all the artists, youth, children and communities who are part of Peace of Art. We see this award as a powerful confirmation that our peace work can bring about real and lasting change."

The prize for encouraging initiatives goes to the association "Mate ni kani" from Germany and Niger - a country where there is a problematic gap between French, the language taught in schools since colonial times, and the mother tongue of many children. The association, which has its German headquarters in Bremen, publishes emancipatory children's and youth books for mother-tongue teaching in Niger and supports women's initiatives in developing their own economic prospects. "The fact that Mate ni kani is being honored is no coincidence, but the reward for a colossal and invaluable work over more than 15 years and the encouragement for a solid and lasting cooperation between our peoples," says publisher Bako Malam Abdou from the Nigerien capital Niamey, who has now published 56 books in collaboration with the association. "It is always touching to see children in elementary school confidently helping to shape lessons instead of mechanically parroting something in a foreign language, the meaning of which they rarely understand," adds Manfred Weule, 1st Chairman of the association. "Self-efficacy and self-determination belong together and start on a small scale."

The musical program will be provided by pupils from Gesamtschule Ost and guitarist Aladdin Haddad.

Further information can be found at www.dieschwelle.de/friedenspreis-2026