“Literature Brings People Together”: Primary School Children in Bonn-Tannenbusch Become Authors

Alanus University is part of the collaborative project “We Are Writing a Story Together”.

In a district shaped by more than 110 nations and enormous cultural diversity, language becomes the most important connecting link: under the motto “We Are Writing a Story Together,” a special literary project will begin in spring 2026 at Elsa-Brändström Primary School in Bonn-Tannenbusch. Around 40 pupils from classes 4A and 4B will develop, write, and publish their own work. The project is a collaboration between Elsa-Brändström School, the bookshop am Paulusplatz, Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, and the LiteraturRheinland network. It is funded by Stadtsparkasse Bonn.

In Tannenbusch, every second child grows up in circumstances at risk of poverty; many have little access to books at home. This is where the project “We Are Writing a Story Together” comes in: together with bookseller Philipp Seehausen, lecturer Petra von der Lohe, drama educator Ursula Braun, as well as students and alumni of Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, the pupils of Elsa-Brändström School will develop a story. The process ranges from interactive readings to work in small groups and visual design, all the way to the finished manuscript. The aim is to make use of the children’s natural creativity and to give them the tools of language. At the end of the project there will not only be a digital file, but a real printed book, which will be presented at a closing celebration. Each child will receive two copies for their family.

Philipp Seehausen, owner of the bookshop am Paulusplatz and co-initiator of the project, emphasizes the value of the experience: “What the children have is incredible creativity. Together, we create a sense of self-efficacy and can even place a finished printed product in the children’s hands at the end. It is important to me to start where there has so far been little contact with books and to inspire new target groups to read.”

Petra von der Lohe, lecturer in literature and creative writing at Alanus University and co-initiator, sees the project as a long-term opportunity: “The project is funded under the motto ‘Literature Brings People Together.’ It is impressive to see the leap the children make in their use of language. Looking ahead, it would be wonderful if this model could become established on a lasting basis in order to strengthen cohesion in the district over the long term.”

The initiative is supported by the LiteraturRheinland network and Stadtsparkasse Bonn.

Photo: The project team of “We Are Writing a Story Together”: Philipp Seehausen, owner of the bookshop am Paulusplatz, Petra von der Lohe, lecturer in literature and creative writing at Alanus University, drama educator Ursula Braun, as well as Alanus student Paul Schettler and alumna Alessandra Albrecht (from left to right). (Copyright: Alanus University)

Contact for press inquiries:
+49 (0)2222 9321-1944
presse@alanus.edu

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