Dear Parents,

Today - if you are reading this on 1 September - VIA enters a new phase of its existence.
Bertolt Brecht wrote at the beginning of 1949 in a short poem, The Observation (Die Wahrnehmung):
„The difficulties of the mountains are behind us, the difficulties of the plains are before us.“

These words are often quoted because they are surprisingly timeless. Indeed, plains are not always easier than mountains - they can hide their own pitfalls that are easy to underestimate. Some difficulties come from a new environment, others we bring with us - in the form of burdens, depleted supplies, or habits we've picked up while overcoming previous challenges. The task before us now is to populate and gradually complete our Campus. It is a process that will bring with it new challenges, but at the same time we have excellent facilities that give us great opportunity - and commitment.

Our aim is to create a safe environment that children will enjoy coming to every day, while at the same time challenging them enough to prepare them for a future that is open, changing and unpredictable. As Seymour Papert says: „There is only one 21st century skill - We need to produce people who know how to act when they're faced with situations for which they were not specifically prepared.‘ We see this idea as the core of our pedagogical vision. At the same time, VIA Gymnasium has the ambition to connect the generations, to anchor students in society and culture, and to develop their civic attitudes. I consider it a great challenge for our school to educate children to uphold the values of liberal democracy and to take responsibility for the world they enter.

In this context, let me remind you of a few principles from Timothy Snyder's book Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century (2017) that I would like to see written into the profile of a VIA graduate:

• Be alert when reading texts that offer quick and easy solutions to complex problems.
• Not to be satisfied with a superficial impression and not to immediately form an opinion on things I have not deeply explored.
• Not to consider people with different views as enemies, but to try to understand them, because maybe they just don't have enough information.
• Actively support non-profit organizations that carry out civically responsible activities.
• Defend public service institutions - especially public service media freedom - and support quality journalism through subscription and trust

We are entering a new school phase together. There are challenges ahead, but also opportunities that can move us forward. So let's move on to a new chapter!

Sincerely, Peter Hopfinger