Dramas happen every day in the Mediterranean Sea, often unnoticed by the public: Refugees try to come to Europe in nutshells and drown in the floods.
The Grafrath Asylum District now wants to draw attention to the fate of the refugees - with the installation of three light poles in front of the Protestant church.
Grafrath - The light steles come from the artist Markus Heinsdorff, who originally used them in a much larger installation. His lights, which he made from life jackets of rescued refugees, were last in front of Blumenthal Castle in Aichach. Now they are being set up decentrally in order to set an example for more humanity in many places. The Grafrath Asylum District financed the three lights from private funds.
The Protestant parish provides the location on the meadow in front of the Michaelkirche for a year, as reported by Ulrike Eichler from the Helferkreis.
“We wanted to have a central location so that everyone could see it.” Pastor Karl Mehl was immediately open to the request.
After all, light is a biblical motif for humanity.
“I hope that the installation will open up discussions on the subject that will then lead to action,” said the evangelical clergyman.
Monika Glammert-Zwölfer, who is also involved in the asylum district, made it clear that action is necessary.
"The facts are terrifying," she said.
The Mediterranean is the deadliest route for refugees, especially since the tugs often provide unsuitable boats for horrific sums of money.
Many refugees are therefore in distress - and drown.
"This year alone, 1,500 people drowned in the Mediterranean," says Glammert-Zwölfer, citing United Nations estimates. Since the peak of the wave of refugees in 2015, a total of 22,000 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean. For Glammert-Zwölfer particularly frightening: "Public authorities do not care about people in distress at sea." Only private initiatives and organizations would take action.
The asylum district wants to support this with the light steles.
The members hope that people will think about what is happening and donate to the aid organizations.
The thanks of the refugees are certain, as the example of Ahmad and Bayram Kouja shows.
The two Syrians living in Grafrath did not flee across the Mediterranean, but are watching the situation with horror.
“The action of the asylum district deserves thanks and respect,” says Bayram Kouja.
ANDREAS DASCHNER