On Friday, 21 November 2025, the University of Giessen (Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, JLU) hosted an interactive story and music workshop titled “Selam & Shalom – Identity and Humanity. What Does Togetherness Sound Like?” as part of the event series “Solidarity Now,” organised by the Office for Equity at JLU, and as an EUPeace Bridge Dialogue. The workshop was facilitated by the renowned educators Elena Padva, Jasmin Sindelar and Attila Günaydin from the Sara Nussbaum Centre in Kassel.
Creating Space for Dialogue Through Story and Sound
The workshop aimed to open up spaces of reflection and mutual understanding across communities through music and storytelling. Students and staff from JLU, as well as local residents from Giessen, were invited to participate in this engaging experience. The event encouraged attendees to reflect on the topics that shape their own sense of identity and to use the music and stories shared by the educators as a powerful conversation starter.
Music, Heritage and Empathy: A Shared Experience
Padva, Sindelar and Günaydin created an inspiring atmosphere, skilfully blending music, storytelling and pedagogical elements to facilitate meaningful dialogue. The workshop not only showcased the diverse cultural heritages of Jewish and Muslim communities across Europe and beyond, but also emphasised the importance of empathy and understanding in fostering solidarity.
“It was a unique experience – the educators really succeeded in creating an inspiring atmosphere through music and stories that helped me reflect on a more personal level on topics that are historically complicated,” said Eva Zimmermann, attendee of the workshop and local coordinator for EUPeace at JLU.
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