Traveling exhibition I like OSL.”: Stories from Oberspreewald-Lausitz!

Traveling exhibition I like OSL.”: Stories from Oberspreewald-Lausitz!

From September 1st to 6th, 2025, the traveling exhibition “I like OSL.” will be held in the Wendische Kirche community center in Senftenberg. presented. This exhibition gives people with a migrant background in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district a voice. She tells their stories: How did they come to this region? What has changed for you since then? And how do they live today? The initiative dates back to 2019 and was launched by the district's integration officer in collaboration with the integration advisory board and a dedicated working group. The opening will take place in an exciting week that is open to all interested visitors.

The exhibition includes 20 displays that not only provide information, but also offer a personal insight into the realities of many people's lives. This is particularly important in a changing society in which migration and multiculturalism are a natural part of it. As in many other European regions, such issues are closely linked to identity and coexistence in communities. In addition, the exhibition is supported by the “Partnership for Democracy OSL” initiative, which is actively committed to strengthening democracy and preventing extremism.

A musical highlight

The culmination of the exhibition is a concert by the famous Norwegian Osterøy Choir, which will take place on September 6th at 4:30 p.m. The choir, which was founded in 1914 and has 60 active members, delights its audiences with a varied repertoire that ranges from classical works to pop and musical pieces. The best thing about it: entry is free! This is a great opportunity for all music lovers to not only hear the exhibitors' stories, but also enjoy the sounds of the choir.

Opening times and information

The exhibition is open on the following days:

• Montag, 01.09. – 10 bis 12 Uhr
• Dienstag, 02.09. – 9 bis 15 Uhr
• Mittwoch, 03.09. – 9 bis 12 Uhr
• Donnerstag, 04.09. – 9 bis 17 Uhr
• Freitag, 05.09. – 9 bis 12 Uhr
• Samstag, 06.09. – 14 bis 18 Uhr

A member of the project group will be on site to answer questions and provide further information. The exhibition thus complements ongoing efforts to promote multilingual and cultural diversity, which have become increasingly important in recent years.

Diversity as a strength

The importance of multilingualism is increasingly perceived not only in Senftenberg, but also in other regions. As the “Language Diversity Makes School” project in South Tyrolean schools shows, awareness of linguistic diversity is an integral part of contemporary education. The perception of diversity as an enrichment is promoted here and the goal is to establish multilingualism as a general educational goal. These approaches reflect a trend that can also be observed in many modern societies: migration and multilingualism significantly shape the reality of our lives.

In this context, an increased need for sensitivity in the areas of research and teaching becomes clear. Educational institutions are required to develop new perspectives and strengthen intercultural communication. This is the only way to promote respectful coexistence in a pluralistic society that includes urban and rural areas. Those interested can also find information about this on platforms such as Eurac Research and Uni Graz.

We invite all readers to visit the traveling exhibition and the accompanying concert and thus experience a piece of the diverse culture in our region!