This year, 34 projects will receive funding from the state program "Pegasus - Schools adopt monuments". According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, a total of 10,050 euros in prize money is available for the winners selected by an expert jury. The grammar schools, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools and vocational schools will each receive between 250 and 500 euros to realize their ideas.
"Anyone who goes in search of clues and uncovers the secrets behind castle ruins, ground monuments or gravestones learns a lot about our history," said Minister of Culture Christian Piwarz (CDU). However, engaging with monuments also means "learning from history for the present and future".
From silver mines to copper giants
With financial support, children and young people can travel back in time to the Middle Ages, for example to the medieval mining town of Bleiberg. Among other things, they explore an old silver mine and the 3.30 meter tall copper bell men on the Kroch high-rise in Leipzig. They also discover Jewish life and persecution under National Socialism as well as a forgotten monument.
Incentive to engage with cultural heritage
The "Pegasus" program, initiated in 1995, is designed to encourage engagement with cultural heritage. Schools "adopt" monuments for one to two years, which children and young people explore and maintain in their local area. The best ideas and projects are funded. So far, more than 230 schools have looked after over 280 monuments - from their own school building to monuments, villas, parks, castles or cemeteries to prominent burial sites.
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