Me, Bonhoeffer

Me, Bonhoeffer

2021/22

Worldwide, political pressure from the right has been growing over the last decades. National egoism, hatred of those who are different, the stoking of fears are dividing our society and endangering democratic state orders where they still exist. Politicians who are primarily concerned with gaining and maintaining power hate their political opponents, threaten them with violence and use it. They do not care about the common welfare of all citizens, which is the main task of democratic politicians.

This development is of great concern to many people. In order to stop such a political movement and to spread positive impulses for democracy and social cohesion in our society, the Stuttgart artist Doris Graf launched the art project “Me, Bonhoeffer”. Similar to the CityX project, her idea was to create and exhibit a pictorial portrait of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life and work in dialogue with many other participants, including children, young people, and adults.

The aim is to emphasis the importance of the basic political values of democracy, freedom, equality, justice, solidarity, for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society through the remembrance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s personality and his responsible actions. Democracy is to be promoted by remembering this person who stands as a role model for uncompromising, responsible and resistant behaviour in very, very difficult times and who also showed civil courage, honesty and the view “from below” from the perspective of the victims of a violent regime. Regardless of age, social status and nationality, people work together on a portrait. This connects and strengthens social cohesion. At the same time, this project also aims to draw attention to the inspiring richness for everyone’s individual development that society offers, which is composed of different cultures.

By commemorating Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his responsible actions, Doris Graf aims to highlight the importance of the fundamental political values ​​of democracy - freedom, equality, justice, and solidarity - for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society. Democracy is to be strengthened by remembering this man, who stands as a role model for uncompromising, responsible, and resilient behavior in extremely difficult times, and who also championed civic courage, honesty, and the perspective “from below,” from the viewpoint of the victims of a violent regime.