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Bridging Past and Present: How One Man Revives Russian-German Heritage in NRW

From a childhood in Voronezh to leading a cultural movement, Schulmeister transforms coincidence into connection. His festival unites generations through shared history and modern identity.

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The image shows a poster with a drawing of a map of the city of Bellingwolderschans, Germany, with...
The image shows a poster with a drawing of a map of the city of Bellingwolderschans, Germany, with text written on it. The map is detailed and shows the various streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the poster provides additional information about the city, such as its history, culture, and attractions.

Bridging Past and Present: How One Man Revives Russian-German Heritage in NRW

Dietmar Schulmeister, a media professional and cultural organiser, has launched the Russian-German Cultural Days NRW to highlight the heritage of ethnic Germans from Russia. Born in 1991 near Voronezh, he moved to Germany as a child and now leads efforts to celebrate the community's past and present.

Schulmeister was born on 18 January 1991 in Lipetsk, close to Voronezh in Russia. At nine years old, he relocated to Germany with his family. He credits his great-grandmother, Amalia, for teaching him German and inspiring the move.

Today, he works as a freelance moderator, trainer, and media consultant. Alongside his professional roles, he serves as state chairman of the Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland (LmDR) in North Rhine-Westphalia. The region is home to a significant portion of Germany's estimated 2.4 million Russlanddeutsche—repatriates of German descent—alongside Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.

The Russian-German Cultural Days NRW aims to explore the history and traditions of this group while engaging with their modern lives. Schulmeister sees the event as a way to build bridges and foster dialogue within North Rhine-Westphalian society. He emphasises the community's diversity, noting that no single term can fully capture its richness.

He often speaks about the role of chance in life. Every encounter and opportunity, he believes, begins with coincidence. His own journey reflects this philosophy, from childhood in Russia to leadership in Germany's cultural landscape.

The cultural days will bring together stories of migration, identity, and belonging. Schulmeister's work highlights how shared traditions and open conversations can strengthen community ties. The initiative continues to grow, reflecting the dynamic presence of ethnic Germans from Russia in Germany today.

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