War & Wilderness

Germany: Bi- and trinational projects

War and Wilderness

The last days of the Second World War

It is a cold morning towards the end of January, 1945. Although the eastern front is drawing closer every day, life is still somewhat normal in Kienitz, a small village on the west bank of the Oder river, about 80 kilometres east of Berlin. Early in the morning, before the sun has risen, a young girl getting ready for school looks through the kitchen window. In the dark outside she can see shadowy figures moving towards her – the first Soviet soldiers, who had unexpectedly crossed the river, the last natural barrier to Berlin, in the night.

A desperate battle followed, to be the last of the Second World War, transforming the region into an apocalyptic scene of wreckage and debris. Tens of thousands lost their lives in the coming weeks, many of them just days before the end of hostilities.

In our youth camp War and Wilderness we shall trace these historical events. We will take up our quarters in a tent camp close to the Oder, where all those years ago soldiers crossed the river. We shall explore the beautiful river landscape, do repair work on war graves and discover Lost Places on both sides of the German-Polish border.

Camp-language is English. Please bring your own sleeping pad & sleeping bag since you will be accommodated in large tents. The project is funded by the Polish-German Youth Office.