Alfonso on a mission for democracy: young people miss being heard

The French-German cabaret artist Emmanuel Peterfalvi, better known as TV reporter Alfons, sees a communication gap in democracy education. Young people are very interested in the topic, "but they have the feeling that they are not being heard", he told the German Press Agency before several guest performances in Saxony about his experiences in his school democracy project. "At some point, they give up and stop speaking out when all they ever hear from adults is that they are too young or have no experience. That's bad."

In his stage program "Alfons - jetzt noch deutscherer" (Alfons - now even more German), he talks lovingly about his Jewish grandmother, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp, and humorously about his decision as to whether he wanted to become German. "That touches the young people, they open up." Then they accept things, "that's what it's all about," he said. "Because I never want something like that to happen again."

Alfons' family history moves the young people

The young people can ask him questions in the workshop the day after, where he mainly listens and encourages them to talk to each other. "For some, there's no question that you have to stand up for democracy, even if it's difficult and exhausting."

Others don't see it that way and some want democracy with "a strong man who tells you what to do". It's about listening, understanding, arguing, thinking about your own opinion and the opinions of others, "that's democracy".

Initiating a discussion is not always easy, and sometimes it doesn't work, Peterfalvi admitted. "That's the power of social media, where lies are repeated." Democracy education and dealing with social media should therefore be compulsory in schools.

Peterfalvi: "super dangerous time"

"It's important to do something, it's a super dangerous time, something can slip away". It only takes good people who do nothing "for evil to flourish", he quotes Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, as he does during his appearances. "I think this is more relevant than ever, everyone is called upon to do something."

Peterfalvi has lived in Germany since 1991. In memory of his "grand mère", he set up a foundation to continue his grandmother's commitment to international understanding through educational projects. Schools receive discounted tickets for the autobiographical play. "As well as financial support, I'm also looking for supporters," he says. In Saxony, the Cellex Foundation and the State Center for Political Education support Peterfalvi's efforts to promote democracy.