Beat the Hate: rap workshop for young people

The first week of the summer holidays will be loud, creative and political: young people aged between 13 and 16 can produce their own song and professional music video in a rap workshop.

Whether at school, online or on the street: young people experience every day how words can hurt or divide. The rap workshop "Beat the Hate - Rap connects" aims to counteract this. With the support of rapper Dennis Buss and award-winning filmmaker Dennis Mätzig, the end result is more than just music - a clear message against hatred and extremism.

The holiday project is organised as a cooperation between the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg adult education centre and the JUNGE UNI Bocholt (JUBoh). In creative writing sessions and beat workshops, a joint rap song is created that is directed against marginalisation, hatred and extremism. The participants not only learn the basics of chanting, but also develop a concept for a suitable music video that is professionally realised.

"Words can hurt - but they can also unite", says Jennifer Engels, head of JUBoh. "We want to show young people that their opinion counts. They have something to say and we give them the platform to do so", adds Isabel Testroet, Head of VHS, City Library and JUBoh.

The workshop will take place from 14 to 18 July at LernWerk and is aimed at young people aged between 13 and 16. No previous knowledge is required. Participation costs 50 euros and registration is now open at www.juboh.de. Places are limited.

The event is part of the project "Shaping Diversity - Participate. Learn. Develop. (Er)Leben." and is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.