Cultural gifts: Theater tickets distributed for children in Drochow!

Cultural gifts: Theater tickets distributed for children in Drochow!

On December 18, 2025, a special occasion made eyes shine in the AWO house “Am Drochower See”: As part of the “Theater tickets instead of Christmas cards” campaign, District Administrator Siegurd Heinze handed over 20 theater vouchers to the child and youth welfare facility, which is located in the picturesque Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, surrounded by the largest lake landscape in Lower Lusatia. This initiative aims to enable children and young people to have cultural experiences that often lie outside of their everyday experiences. The handover was made by actors Richard Fuchs and Dana Koganova from the Christmas fairy tale “Goose, you stole my heart!” the theatre's new Senftenberg stage, which added an extra festive touch.

The happy atmosphere during the afternoon was contagious: the children and carers used the time to chat with the actors and ask lots of questions. In a community facility where 20 children and young people are accompanied by 14 carers in three living groups, such experiences make a big difference for the youngest residents. Elisabeth Schulze, the deputy facility manager, accepted the vouchers with great anticipation and expressed her desire to give the children an unforgettable theater experience.

Cultural participation in focus

The campaign is not only a further step towards greater cultural participation, but also fits into the social context of the institution. The AWO house “Am Drochower See” offers a regular group that offers the young residents security, social-emotional support and support with school and professional challenges. Group-specific leisure activities also promote children's independence. There is also a curative education-oriented residential group that specifically looks after children and young people with special problems.

The importance of cultural offerings for the personal development of young people has become increasingly clear in recent years. Cultural education also offers creative forms of expression and contributes significantly to personal development. Young people often discover cultural offerings through personal contacts or recommendations from friends, which makes the role of institutions like the AWO-Haus all the more important. Such opportunities are often made available at the municipal level via viable networks, as the Jugendhilfeportal highlights.

From theory to practice

Cultural offerings are more in demand than ever these days. Regardless of whether it's theater, music or other creative projects - in many cities there are already platforms that bundle such initiatives and make access easier for those interested. As the example of the AWO House shows, the way is paved for children and young people to actively participate in cultural life. “Culture makes you strong” is the motto of a nationwide funding program that aims to make it easier to access cultural experiences and strengthen social cohesion.

With every theater ticket held in the young people's hands, a small path opens into a magical world of possibilities. The Oberspreewald-Lausitz district administration's campaign shows how important it is to create time for cultural experiences, especially during the Christmas season - and thus to give space for dreams, friendships and community.