Fairy tales stand for tradition, childhood, and imagination and excel both as an effective bridge between and an efficient broker of various cultures. Experiencing the roots of others’ identities enables us to empathize with the beauty of other ways of life, however different they may be or feel. Our fairy tale project is designed to give children, adolescents, and parents the opportunity to experience the joys of engaging in their own culture while accessing new ones.
Our long-term goal is to open a fairy tale park in Wilhelmsburg, a neighborhood located in Hamburg, Germany. Why here? Because Wilhelmsburg is a cultural melting pot with over 80 nationalities represented and has long been both a focus of discussion and the locus of Hamburg’s highest crime rate. Developing an understanding for other cultures is in demand here more than ever. And because political policies to-date have not proven effective enough, the Courage Initiative Foundation is looking to initiate a creative change in course.