For the second time in 2025, the museum's Promotional Society #We_Remember_We_Create" and the city of Solingen launched a school competition. Following the first competition's theme of "Fake News," this year's theme was "Freedom - Being Different Without Fear: What Does That Mean to You?" The competition was open to students from all secondary schools in Solingen.

How are Jewish or Muslim children and young people doing? What experiences do young BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) have? How do queer young people feel? Are young people belonging to the majority society at an advantage? The aspect of freedom plays a central role in these questions: To what extent do children and young people today still dare to develop freely, free from the fear of disadvantage, exclusion, or even discrimination? Ultimately, the opportunities for free development within society reflect the state of our democracy.

Various courses, classes, extracurricular groups, and study groups from ten secondary schools participated in the competition with a total of thirteen entries. The competition was held under the patronage of Mayor Tim Kurzbach. The entries were as diverse as the types of schools represented: Realschulen (intermediate secondary schools), Gesamtschulen (comprehensive schools), Berufskollegs (vocational colleges), and a Gymnasium (grammar school).

The seven-member jury reviewed the diverse submissions, which included podcasts, films, art productions, Instagram posts, and video clips. The entries were evaluated based on their thematic relevance, quality, creativity, originality, target audience, and (sustainable) impact.

The winning entries were awarded prizes at a ceremony on September 29, 2025. The prize money of €1,000 was donated by the Stadt-Sparkasse Solingen (Solingen Municipal Savings Bank). This year, there were two first-place and two second-place prizes. All participating classes and courses received a certificate of recognition.

As patron, Mayor Tim Kurzbach made an impressive appeal to the students to stand up for freedom and democracy, even if it is inconvenient.

‍1st place: short film “Spiegelwelt” by Alex, Niklas, Tim, Mohamad, upper level of media designers, Technisches Berufskolleg Solingen

Presenter Ioanna Zacharaki praised the expressive, moving, and high-quality acting. The technical execution, including camera work and editing, was also impressive. "The film lingers and does something to you."

‍1st place: film by Class 6d, Geschwister-Scholl-Schule

Presenter Sophie Brüss was particularly impressed by the class's thorough preparation. She felt the topic was perfectly chosen, the arguments were well-founded, and the presentation was very realistic, creative, multifaceted, and solution-oriented. The legal framework was carefully considered, and the presentation was both factual and poetic. Especially considering the students' young age, it was a truly compelling piece of work.

‍2nd place: Podcast and images by Practical Philosophy course, Year 7, Albert Schweitzer School

Presenter Barbara Löcherbach praised the engaging and thought-provoking presentation of the topic, without being preachy or didactic. She found the piece very moving, relevant to everyday life, and technically well-executed. "I would have liked to continue the discussion with the class after the podcast," she said.

‍2nd place: Instagram profile by Class 8d, Gymnasium Schwertstraße

Presenter Isabel Acosta-Tumi appreciated the creative, contemporary approach to a complex topic. Here, too, relatable situations from everyday school life were addressed and accompanied by direct recommendations for action. Bilingualism allows a wider audience to be reached.