“Integration Moves!” was the motto of this year’s move-it! integration competition, which in recent years has supported and recognized outstanding projects focused on integration and inclusion. Thirteen projects were presented this year, creating a vibrant scene in the historic town hall, which was filled with unfamiliar dances, sounds, and unique performances. Any Marburg resident with a good idea was welcome to participate. The Steinmühle High School was also among the participants with its project “Our Classmates … a Few Questions,” developed by Leon Köhne, Miriam Verweyen, Joela Schwing, Lennart Holly (all 5b), Jamal and Ahmad (9i and future 7th graders), was among the award winners and took 3rd place.

How did this come about? In October 2016, something new happened at Steinmühle. Fifteen children and teenagers from Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan—all refugees between the ages of 12 and 17 who made their way to Germany without their parents—are living in the Bremen House on the school grounds. Fifteen new students who are so very different from what we’re used to seeing in “newcomers.” Even just walking past the classroom or through the schoolyard, the air is filled with unfamiliar languages and melodies. Together, hands both big and small engage in multicultural learning and discovery—kneading and painting, cooking and hammering, dancing and making music. In one corner, a group is deep in thought or discussion, while one of the older boys translates and writes for the youngest children. They can also be found time and again at cultural evenings—and often heard there as well—just as they are during shared meals.

Leon Köhne, Miriam Verweyen, Joela Schwing, and Lennart Holly (all in 5b) wanted to take a closer look at the whole thing. After an initial meeting with Jamal Jaber and Ahmad Joumaa (both are still in 9i but will be moving to 7th grade after summer break), it was clear: “We have to interview these two.” Their initial reserve quickly gave way to healthy curiosity. So, on their own initiative and with the support of Ines Vielhaben, the students created a short video about all sorts of interesting aspects of the different cultures and Jamal and Ahmad’s new life at Steinmühle. Everyone is learning a lot from one another. They quickly applied for “move it!” and, a few months later, found themselves in the ballroom of City Hall together with Christian Krämer, the 9i homeroom teacher. The joy was immense when, behind the Richtsberg School’s dance project and the “Café Refugium” project, they took 3rd place among 13 other great projects.

In his speech, Mayor Dr. Thomas Spies emphasized a point that may apply particularly well to the school: “I believe that integration means interacting with one another, with everyone changing, learning from one another, and benefiting from one another. In the process, one group doesn’t have to become like the other.”