Although mostly at ground level, the doorsteps of youth clubs can sometimes become high hurdles. “When you stand in front of it for the first time, you don’t really know what’s behind it,” says Helen Hamburger. “Then going in, even though you may not even know anyone there, it takes a bit of courage.” What the doorstep of Youth initiative Grafing (Jig) is concerned, the 23-year-old also speaks from her own experience. She stood in front of it herself a good five years ago – and took the first step. Hamburger has once again been elected chairman of the meeting.
And what lies behind his doorstep today? “For me? At home, place of well-being, living room, save space,” says Helen Hamburger. Anyone who regularly goes in and out of the ground floor at Rotter Straße 8 associates something with the premises. The drums or the guitars that are currently standing around on stage and want to be played. The counter and the dining table next to it. Or the whole circle of friends.
“A place for people who might not feel so comfortable in traditional clubs”
The statutes of the association, founded in 1986, outline its purpose as a “constant and unprejudiced meeting place for all young people”. “Members should work independently and creatively, take advantage of the social, political, cultural and musical offerings in the regular group events, and participate in the design and work by taking on responsibility in the youth center,” the explanation then follows, somewhat awkwardly. Hamburger can do it more concisely: The jig is “a place for people who may not feel so comfortable in traditional clubs.”
Picobello is not that important there. Instead, a certain anti-authoritarian attitude with the greatest possible degree of personal freedom, without in any way restricting that of others. And grassroots decision-making structures. If you like, Hamburger, who studies pedagogics and educational sciences in Munich as well as art, music and theater as a minor, is the boss of actually convinced bosses. The association meets every first Thursday of the month for an open plenary session.
It’s not just the bosses who run the meeting, but all the active people together
Hamburger explains the basic principle as follows: “Every member and every board member who votes has one vote.” This is how it goes from the decision about bar services, this or that party, this or that concert, this or that event. At best, the board members – there are six in addition to Hamburg, including Grafinger Green City Councilor Keno Maierhofer – would take on a kind of guard rail function. The jig is thrown by everyone involved.
In general, the events. Under Hamburg’s aegis, they were given a much more socio-political touch. Solidarity parties, for example, the proceeds of which go to Sea-Eye, a German aid organization for the rescue of people in distress at sea, mostly refugees, are almost de rigueur. And the documentary “Route 4”, which traces the routes taken by refugees from Africa to Europe, was recently shown in “Kino für alle”.
But the Jig is by no means just about migration, for example the human rights situation in Qatar is currently on the agenda: On Thursday evening, December 1, at 7 p.m., Hamburgers Treff invites you to a discussion event with Ingrid Rausch-Grill, a former member of the Federal Board of Amnesty International, under the title: “Football – Yes! Exploitation – No!” A look at the World Cup schedule makes it clear how the teenagers and young adults from Grafing set their priorities: At the same time, the German national soccer team is playing its third group game. That may mean a lot in a youth club whose counter is adorned with trophies from amateur soccer tournaments.