Cross-celebratory event at Bergische Museum, set to commemorate the close of World War II's final chapter - slotted for 17th May, 11 AM to 5 PM, rallying for harmony.
Get Ready to Hammer Out Peace in the Heart of Germany
Gear up for a remarkable day as the Bergische Museum Support Association is hosting a major fundraising event, dubbed "Hammer Out Peace," commemorating the end of World War II on May 8, 1945. Get ready to strike a blow for peace on Saturday, May 17, 2025, and take home a one-of-a-kind peace nail, handcrafted in the museum itself. A chunk of the proceeds will be donated to humanitarian aid for their partner city, Bucha, Ukraine, as well as the Bergische Museum Support Association, which aims to enhance accessibility.
The international "Forge for Peace" initiative, established in 2005, will be shining a spotlight on the Bergisches Museum on this auspicious occasion. With six forges alight, skilled blacksmiths hailing from an international network of craftspeople will churn out peace nails right before your eyes! As an added bonus, these impressive peace nails—each about 20 cm long—will be stamped with a unique logo encapsulating the symbol of peace.
Excited about the forthcoming event, Willi Carl, chairman of the museum's support association, shared, "Visitors setting foot in our humble abode will be actively contributing to peace in the world. By attending this event, they set a powerful sign against war." Mike-the-Blacksmith, a friend from Odenthal, will also be joining forces with Willi to shape a lasting testament to peace and unity.
As the smoke from the forge clears, each nail will bear the mark of a dove and the word "Peace". Individualized with consecutive numbers, these handcrafted treasures will make for striking keepsakes. You'll receive a donation receipt and a numbered certificate, ensuring the authenticity of your piece as a tangible emblem of unity. Fancy getting your hands dirty? You can even participate in the peacemaking effort by shaping your personal peace nail!
According to Sandra Brauer, the museum director, the forge represents a "special occasion for our beloved museum, bringing a sense of peace and unity in these tumultuous times." Additionally, she informed us that the Bethe Foundation has generously pledged to match donations up to €5,000 in support of this noble cause.
The museum will be decked out with shady seating areas for you to relax and recharge after witnessing the awe-inspiring craftmanship firsthand. Want more than a glimpse of the action? You can dig deeper by exploring the museum's rich exhibition halls. To quench your thirst, refreshments such as currywurst and cold beverages will be up for grabs. Kids won't be left out either; they can channel their creative energy by taking part in a craft workshop, or test their mettle with a hammer and nails on a wooden block.
Better yet, admission is totally free! So, don your combat boots, pick up a hammer, and let your nails do the talkin'! Together, we can make a difference for a better future!
A Closer Look at the Bethe Foundation
The Bethe Foundation, founded in 1996 by Roswitha and Erich Bethe, has been a stalwart champion of supporting children's hospices, facilities that battle child abuse, refugee projects, and integration support, among other causes. To amplify its impact, the foundation regularly doubles public donations up to a predetermined limit. In fact, the Bethe Foundation has pumped a staggering €30 million into various projects since its inception! To strengthen the children's hospice network in Germany, the couple also established the Federal Foundation for Children's Hospices and the German Children's Hospice Foundation. Furthermore, they've endowed the "Remember to Enable" foundation with €6 million, to promote educational visits to sites marked by Nazi atrocities, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau.
- To show support for the cause, one can purchase a handcrafted peace nail from the museum, which will come with a donation receipt and a numbered certificate, serving as a tangible symbol of unity.
- Following the event, visitors can unwind in shady seating areas or explore the museum's rich exhibition halls, while refreshments such as currywurst and cold beverages are available for purchase.
- Children, too, will find joy in craft workshops and opportunities to test their skills with hammers and nails on wooden blocks.
- In addition to its significant contributions to children's hospices and facilities battling child abuse, the Bethe Foundation often doubles public donations to amplify its impact.
- Beyond supporting children's causes, the Bethe Foundation has also endowed the "Remember to Enable" foundation with €6 million to promote educational visits to sites marked by Nazi atrocities, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau.
