"The PKC is a unique institution that is known throughout the state and of which we as a district are just as proud as the state of Baden-Württemberg itself," said District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier in his speech. The 40th anniversary of the Pedagogical-Cultural Center is an impressive example of how remembrance work, intercultural dialogue and a commitment to democracy and tolerance can have a lasting impact on our society.
Mayor Albrecht Dautel, first chairman of the PKC, had previously welcomed the guests. In addition to District Administrator Allgaier, second chairman of the PKC, and Mayor Dautel, Gadi Lahav from the Upper Galilee also addressed emotional and motivating words to those present. Lahav is a co-founder of the partnership between the Upper Galilee and the district of Ludwigsburg and a teacher at one of the partner schools. He had come to Germany for the anniversary together with a delegation from Israel.
A moving moment of the afternoon was the mention of the current situation in Israel, especially after the shocking terrorist attacks of October 2023. In his speech, District Administrator Allgaier emphasized the importance of the friendship between the two regions and thanked the delegation for coming. "The relationship between the Upper Galilee and the district of Ludwigsburg has grown over the years through numerous personal friendships, regular visits and joint projects and has become even closer in this way," said the head of the district administration.
Personal tributes and changes in management
A special highlight of the celebratory program was the foundation speech by Dr. Michael Blume, Commissioner against Anti-Semitism and for Jewish Life, Stuttgart. He spoke about how "Education against anti-Semitism" works and how the future of our democracy can be actively shaped.
The event also provided space for personal tributes: Isolde Kufner, the outgoing head of the PKC office, was bid farewell by Mayor Dautel and honored for her many years of service. Her successor, Hildegard Gooss, was ceremoniously welcomed and introduced to her new office.
The history of the PKC, whose work has been dedicated to remembrance and education since its foundation, was impressively presented during the celebrations.
Founded in the spring of 1980, the association saved the former Freudental synagogue from decay and turned it into a welcoming home and cultural center in the 1980s. This is where the PKC's unique educational work began under its first director, Ludwig Bez.
In addition to the district of Ludwigsburg, the state of Baden-Württemberg is also one of the PKC's institutional sponsors. Through numerous collaborations, including with the State Center for Political Education and the Schiller VHS, as well as through intercultural projects such as student exchanges and teacher seminars, the PKC has established itself as an important player in remembrance work and democracy education.
