Autumn and winter were full of meaningful moments at Freizi Gröpelingen. On October 15, we organized Kids in Action, a day full of sports and creative activities that brought many young people together. It was inspiring to see how much energy and teamwork filled the center.
Every Monday I lead creative hours with teenagers aged 15 to 17. We paint, draw, and talk. These workshops became one of my favorite parts of the week because creativity creates connection.
In December we hosted the Gröpelinger Kick football tournament for youth between 13 and 17. I also experienced my first Bundesliga match in Bremen, watching Werder Bremen play against VfB Stuttgart at the Weserstadion. The atmosphere was unforgettable and made me feel part of the city.
Outside the youth center, I started biking every weekend, exploring Bremen and the northern region. I visited Hamburg for architectural conferences and explored places like Cuxhaven and Otterndorf, where the North Sea landscape offers a completely different perspective.
This was also my first experience of a German Weihnachtsmarkt, which felt magical and deeply cultural.
These months strengthened my German skills, my confidence, and my sense of belonging. I feel more integrated, more independent, and grateful for this journey.
Best,
Naim Mutiev
Naim is hosted by Jugendfreizeitheim Gröpelingen on our project co-funded by the European Union.
If you want to experience something similar to what Naim did, check out our open calls here.
