Grundkultur statt Leitkultur: A Teacher's Reflection on a Student's Insight

In a personal essay published in the German newspaper der Freitag, author Jan Opielka reflects on a classroom discussion from over 20 years ago when he was a student teacher in a 7th-grade politics class. The class was discussing integration, the foreign and the familiar, migrants, and the then-controversial concept of 'Leitkultur' (guiding culture). During the discussion, a 13-year-old student proposed the term 'Grundkultur' (basic culture) as a foundational formula for how a community and its members—whether new or old—should orient themselves to live together well and peacefully. Opielka, now a teacher, expresses gratitude for this insight, calling the wisdom of children an everyday miracle. The essay argues that while 'Leitkultur' is not the answer, society needs a supportive foundation for coexistence. The piece is a reflection on the potential of inclusive cultural concepts and the value of listening to young voices.