ANDREAS HOPFGARTEN
Denn wo ein Wille ist...
“Denn wo ein Wille ist...”
In 1945, Allied forces discovered old ammunition shacks in a dense forest area in North Rhine-Westphalia. These shacks had been built by the National Socialists in the 1930s, not only for storage but also for ammunition manufacturing. Over the years, the town of Espelkamp arose from these shacks.
After the Second World War, around 14 million people were displaced, with hundreds finding their way to Espelkamp. They were housed in the old ammunition shacks, which, after extensive negotiations, were spared from destruction. By 1948, North Rhine-Westphalia had accommodated approximately 1.8 million displaced persons. From 1949 to the end of 1958, Espelkamp's population increased from 2,400 to 10,000.
Many West Germans considered the refugees a threat and often confronted them with xenophobia. However, on the contrary, the refugees made a significant contribution to the "economic miracle" of post-war Germany. At the same time, Espelkamp was regarded as a prime example of successful integration and was repeatedly praised for its high level of diversity.
Today, refugees once again reside in Espelkamp, hailing from countries such as Syria, Libya, or Iraq. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, the number of attacks on refugee shelters in 2016 increased sixfold compared to the previous year. Additionally, Espelkamp has witnessed numerous attacks on refugee shelters and incidents of right-wing extremist graffiti in the past. The AfD, a German far-right party that regularly stirs up anti-foreigner sentiment, has also achieved high results in past elections.
Right-wing extremism is not merely smoldering beneath Espelkamp but throughout the rest of Germany. Its flames are becoming increasingly difficult to extinguish.
But never stop dreaming.
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