THE EUROPEAN PEACE RIDE 2022
On the way to the European Capital of Culture 2025, the European Peace Ride (EPR) 2022 passed through Poland. Wrocław (Breslau) was the starting point here. The route ran through Kamienna Góra, making it a true Peace Ride classic. Furthermore, the number of participants was increased from 80 to 120, 20 each from Poland and the Czech Republic. Among them were several para-athletes (riders with assistance needs).
Wrocław is one of the predecessors of Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture. The city of more than 600,000 inhabitants in western Poland held the title in 2016. The cycling-savvy city of Wrocław has already hosted 20 stages of the International Peace Tour. From there, the tour led the over the Krkonoše Mountains to Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic and in the second stage over the Ore Mountains ridge to Chemnitz.
But unlike the former Peace Tour, the EPR is not a regular bicycle race. Women and men ride together, and it is not about reaching the finish line first. Rather, the focus is on reaching the finish arch together. In view of the current conflicts in the world, the idea of uniting people is once again very topical. In addition, the EPR is to bring other values into focus, such as equality and inclusion.
Terezín - A special appreciation
The route of the EPR 2022 also passed through the small municipality of Terezín.
Under German occupation from 1941 to 1945, the entire town was essentially a ghetto for people from all over Europe who were persecuted as Jews. Cruelty and hunger prevailed under the Nazi regime. Terezín (also known as Theresienstadt) was a transit camp from which 150,000 people were sent to the extermination camps in the east, many of them directly to their deaths. In order to deceive the world public about the crimes committed there, a perfidious "beautification campaign" was carried out and a propaganda film was made.
After 1945, the history of communist persecution in the Small Fortress was initially the focus of remembrance. Commemoration of the victims of the Nazi regime in this Jewish ghetto only began after 1991.
Taking a break in Terezín and becoming aware of its history, also in the German-Czech relationship, was an important concern of the European Peace Ride 2022.
THE DETAILED VIDEO
The tour was accompanied by several camera teams. Thereby unforgettable, emotional recordings were created.
In numerous interviews with the riders, the organizers and the enthusiastic population along the route, it was possible to capture the basic idea and the social significance.
WE STARTED WITH A COME TOGETHER
COME TOGETHER
with a stage programme and various cold drinks
WHEN
On 02.09.2022
from 16:00
TAPE 1
Wrocław - Mladá Boleslav
TARGET
On 03.09.2022
approx. 18:00 h
in
tř. Václava Klementa 294, 293 60 Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
THE ROAD
TAPE 2
Mladá Boleslav - Terezín - Chemnitz
START
On 04.09.2022
at 08:00
in
tř. Václava Klementa 294, 293 60 Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
TARGET
On 04.09.2022
approx. 17:00 h
in
Karl Marx Monument
Bridge Street 10
09111 Chemnitz
Germany
EPR 2022 AS PART OF SPORTS UNITED
The European Peace Ride 2022 will end in a major event organised by SPORTS UNITED. The focus here is "Connecting all people with a love of sport".
MORE INFORMATIONTHE ROAD
THE FINISH LINE
On the Brückenstraße respectively at the Karl-Marx-Kopf several actors arrived together as a "Sternfahrt" between 15:00 to 17:00 on 04.09.2022. The highlight was the entry of the European Peace Ride 2022.
