Candle Sponsors 2024

Leipzig Festival of Lights

Lichtfest Leipzig 2024 Eröffnung – Blick auf auf den Augustusplatz mit Kerzenpodest vom Opernhaus Leipzig — © Punctum/Alexander Schmidt

On Augustusplatz, during the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2024, the traditional candles' podium '89 was set up, which was illuminated over the course of the evening by visitors using thousands of tealights. Candles were available free of charge at several stalls around Augustusplatz.

Those who wished could make a symbolic candle sponsorship at the candle stalls via PayPal or in cash. The proceeds went this year to Wolfsträne e. V. The association supports grieving children and young people who have lost a parent or sibling. They are given the framework, space and time to process their grief in an age-appropriate way. This takes place in grief groups or through individual one-to-one support. Wolfsträne e. V. is a non-profit association based in Leipzig with an additional branch in Torgau.

Wolfsträne e. V.

Bereavement support for children

The heart of Wolfsträne is its 40 volunteer staff members. With understanding, dedication and passion, they support the children and young people and are an important source of strength during such a difficult time. All volunteers first complete training to become child bereavement companions before they begin working independently in bereavement support. During project days in nurseries and schools, Wolfsträne provides information about dying, death and grief, aiming to create broad understanding and acceptance for these topics, which are ultimately unavoidable for everyone.

Crying allowed: Bereavement companions can withstand tears

“The children know that this is the space for it and that there are people here who can cope with their tears. We allow tears and do not suppress them,” says Katrin Gärtner, founder and chairwoman of the association. This is why the name Wolfsträne was chosen, explains Katrin Gärtner. The tear represents what connects the children with one another in their grief. The wolf, on the other hand, is an animal of strength and similar to humans in its social behaviour. Gärtner adds: “When a parent animal dies in a wolf pack and a wolf pup is left behind, the other wolves take care of the child."

Wolfsträne e. V.

Festival of Lights Candle Sponsorship reaches 8,200

On the 9ᵗʰ of October 2024, Leipzig celebrated the 35ᵗʰ anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution with the Leipzig Festival of Lights. The candle sponsorship campaign took place for the fifth time and raised donations amounting to 8,200 euros this year. The proceeds went to Wolfsträne e. V. The association supports bereaved children and young people who have lost a parent or sibling. On 14 November 2024, Dr Skadi Jennicke, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Culture of the City of Leipzig, and Marit Schulz, authorised signatory of Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH and Head of the Leipzig Festival of Lights, presented the donation cheque to Julia Enoch, Deputy Chair of Wolfsträne e. V.

Wolfsträne e. V. receives donation proceeds from candle sponsorships

Enoch was moved during the cheque presentation. “Our bereavement support is completely free of charge for all those affected. We finance our work solely through donations and are therefore so grateful for the generosity of the visitors of the Leipzig Festival of Lights,” Enoch explained. “The Peaceful Revolution in 1989 was a historic event and changed the lives of many people for the better. Unfortunately, the lives of the children we support have taken a very negative turn due to a harsh stroke of fate; they have lost their dearest loved one and, with that, their sense of stability and trust,” the Deputy Chair of Wolfsträne e. V. continued. “We want to help them regain this stability and trust so that they can grow up healthy.”

Volunteers of Wolfsträne e. V. complete training

The heart of Wolfsträne e. V. lies with its 40 volunteers. With understanding, dedication and passion, they are there for the children and young people and offer vital support during such a difficult time. All volunteers first complete training to become child bereavement counsellors before working independently in bereavement support. During project days at nursery schools and schools, Wolfsträne provides information about dying, death and grief and aims to foster broad understanding and acceptance of these topics, which are ultimately unavoidable for everyone.

Among the donors, alongside the many generous visitors of the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2024, are also companies from Leipzig. Donations could be made both on site at the candle distribution points and digitally.

Wolfsträne e. V.