Groups or Organizations - Displaying the flag for the coming days in rural settings at Rural Youth Celebration.
Under the banner of "Sailing out, showing the flag," the 39th German Youth Day (DLT) is taking place in Jübek (Schleswig-Flensburg district) this weekend. Approximately 1000 youths and young adults from across Germany are expected to be present in the small village near Schleswig. The co-chairs of the Schleswig-Holstein Youth Association, Lena Hagge and Tajo Lass, say, "Together we make a strong statement for our values, democracy, and the future of youth in the countryside." Everyone will have the opportunity to witness firsthand how much youth can accomplish over the weekend.
Youth strives to remain in the countryside
The co-chairs Theresa Schmidt and Lars Ruschmeyer remarked in a joint statement, "We, youth from the countryside, have many ideas and energy. We wish to reside, work, and establish families on the land." To make this happen, they believe that well-developed infrastructure is critical. "We require better bus and train connections. Youth should be able to travel freely without a car." Basic security should be a right, not an option. Additionally, there should be comprehensive schools, training opportunities, high-speed internet, and healthcare.
Schmidt and Ruschmeyer underlined, "We're getting started and shaping our surroundings. Grant us the resources and trust to maintain our hinterland villages." The Youth Day and the Jubilee Action Hand in Hand for the Land demonstrate, "Together, we can accomplish much."
Excursions, parties, and experience sharing make up the program
The German Youth Day was first held in 1950 and has been an annual event since then. This is where young people gather to exchange experiences, form connections, celebrate, and learn through excursions while discovering the hosting region. The Schleswig-Holstein Youth Association volunteers have spent about 10,000 hours planning for this occasion, according to the organizing team.
The DLT participants will have a variety of activities to choose from, including tours of farms and businesses, canoeing, bowling, and yoga. There are also two parties and a theatre premiere on offer. On Saturday morning, the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Claudia Müller, the President of the German Women's Association (dlv), Petra Bentker, and the President of the German Farmers' Association (DBV), Joachim Rukwied, are scheduled to take part in a discussion circle.
The meeting was supposed to happen in Schleswig-Holstein in 2020
A few days before the main event, John Gosch is on the farm in Jübek-Friedrichsau, which he runs jointly with his parents. This is his first time attending a federal meeting, and he's also assisting in its organization. The event, which takes place every two years, was initially planned to occur in Wacken in 2020 - the northernmost federal state. But then came the pandemic. A new location had to be found, and Gosch nominated Jübek. This village has a stadium where large-scale concerts were once held. "The site is exceptional, so I proposed, why not Jübek?" comments Gosch. The community was in agreement, and Jübek was named the host of the 39th federal meeting.
The Youth Union organizes numerous activities for young people in the countryside
Gosch joined the Landjugend in 2013, when he was around 15 or 16. You don't have to come from a farm to be a part of the Landjugend - many are connected to agriculture, but it's not a requirement. As Gosch describes it, it's a youth group on the farm. In Jübek, there are other options for young people, such as sports clubs, but in some areas, the Landjugend is the main source of activities.
The Jübek local group also performs various activities, albeit not as frequently as in some other places. According to Gosch, they take part in events such as an Easter fire, canoeing, bowling, or a bike tour to the fish roll celebration in Schleswig. The Bund der Deutschen Landjugend, in their own words, is the largest youth organization in the agricultural region, advocating for youth in rural areas by representing their political interests and aiming to enhance their living and staying prospects in their rural communities. In 18 state groups, there are approximately 100,000 actively engaged volunteers.
