As part of our Social Studies lessons, we were able to learn first-hand about the work of a politician. After the words of welcome were spoken by Mrs. Mergenthaler-Walter and our subject teacher Mr. Dyroff, the politician Martin Hahn gave a lecture about his career and his daily work in the Stuttgart state parliament. Right at the beginning, something unusual happened: Mr Hahn did not go on stage despite the large audience, but stayed with us in the hall. This closeness and openness was to be confirmed again and again during his visit.

Until he was elected to the state parliament in 2011, Mr Hahn ran a biodynamic farm on Lake Constance. Influenced by the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, which destroyed his crops in 1986 and meant he had many points of contact with the world of politics, he sat as a Green politician in the Überlingen local council. This was followed, among other things, by positions as a member of the state executive committee, parliamentary group chairman in the district council and agricultural policy spokesman in the state parliament. After more interesting stories about his life, the Q&A session was opened, in which we asked many serious, current and also critical questions, among others about factory farming, climate protests, as well as conflicts with the party. We were impressed how honestly Mr Hahn answered every question without mincing his words. Our year spokesperson Shanti gave him an appropriately warm farewell and thanked him for the visit.

All in all, it was an interesting and informative speech and we were all amazed and impressed by Mr Hahn's clarity and directness. It was a special day for all of us that we will not forget in a hurry.