Among the participants was M., a young man who survived the genocide in Gaza. He has even written a book about his experience, telling the story of how the genocide turned his life upside down, taking away everything he had worked so hard for and most of the people he loved. I still find it difficult to put into words what happened in that room as he shared his story with us. I remember feeling overwhelmed, unable to find the right words. When faced with so much cruelty and violence, all I could feel was anger and sadness. Sometimes, words simply do not seem enough to express what you feel.

Learning about genocide 

We also had a group of participants from Namibia, who told us how German forces had taken everything away from their people: their homes, their land and even their identity. They invited us to take part in their sacred fire ceremony, which represents a direct connection between the living and their ancestors. As we gathered around the fire, they shared the story of how their people had been decimated and how long they had to wait for Germany to acknowledge the crimes committed against them.

There is one thing I will never forget that R. said after an activity:

Finally, I feel seen, heard and understood.”

Those words really stayed with me, because I think they capture one of the most important things we achieved during that week.

A «safer» space full of care and mutual understanding 

Our facilitators managed to create a space where everyone felt free to express their pain, speak openly, cry and let out all those emotions that are so often kept inside. It was a place where people could be vulnerable without being afraid of being judged.

But our time together was not only about pain and difficult stories. We also laughed so much, danced, sang, played cards and explored the city together. And somehow, day after day, we grew closer and closer. It was beautiful to see how a group of people who had come together with different experiences and stories gradually became so connected.