LCPG’s factory and office is situated in Leuna - in the eastern part of Germany. Before the wall in Germany came down in 1989, Leuna belongs to the country GDR (German Democratic Republic) which was communistic. Most of the people did not have or followed a religion as GDR encouraged atheism during this period.
Jugendweihe (Youth consecration) is a secular coming of age ceremony practiced by German 14-year-olds. It originated among the secular societies in the 19th century as an alternative to confirmation by the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.
The GDR was using this event to dedicate the 14-years old youths to the ideas of the state. Today the celebration will be used to prepare the young people for the life. Before the celebration ceremony they have to complete different courses such as “Knigge” – How to behave in public correctly or learning to dance Walzer and other kind of dances such as Foxtrot. Furthermore they need to look deeper into German history such as the visit of a concentration camp (KZ) from the Nazis.
After completing all the courses the 14 years olds celebrate together with friends and family in a celebration hour the acceptance in the circle of adults. They are normally dressed very formal such as evening dresses and suits. From now on the young people must be addressed formally with the family name.
