Solidarity - in times of Corona a permanent slogan. That solidarity also plays a role in other areas, and not always a good one, is shown by students of the journalism course at the KU with their new magazine "einsteins". To what extent is keeping animals in zoos and animal parks a form of solidarity? Is organ donation automatically solidarity or is there a limit? What do refugees in Camp Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos report when asked what solidarity means to them in their situation? These and other topics were researched by 39 students of the fourth semester of journalism during the summer semester under Corona conditions and independently implemented in a magazine. The finished product is available from 24 July.
This year's edition is special not only because of the overall theme, but also because it is the first time that the university is cooperating with K'Universale, a lecture series that will take place in the winter semester at the KU. The 2020 edition also celebrates the 30th anniversary of "einsteins". Former (chief) editors and publishers will tell what they remember from three decades of production: successes, such as renowned journalism awards or particularly successful covers, but also legal grey areas and technical hurdles.
Due to the Corona pandemic, researching topics and talking to protagonists had to be done from home for the current issue, as did the layout of the magazine. The lack of contact and communication problems in text messages made production difficult. "This year's einsteins was a real challenge because of the corona situation," says Carina Kremer from the editorial team of the current issue. "But we really mastered it brilliantly!" Instead of personal contact, work with video conferencing, meeting tools and various clouds was the order of the day. The constant accessibility that this method of working entailed was exhausting. "But the result is a magazine that is both impressive and proud."
The sale of the magazine will take place on Friday (July 24) from 11:30 a.m. in front of the university cafeteria and at the market place. The Ristorante Tartufo is one of the sponsors of this event and will support it with vouchers and pizza. The proceeds from the sale of the magazine are intended to cover the production costs, which are particularly high this year due to the purchase of external image material.
"We are as surprised as we are happy to have experienced so much solidarity ourselves this year," says Susanne Wegner, lecturer and editor-in-chief of the Einstein print magazine. Although some experts had predicted a collapse of the advertising market at the beginning of the Corona pandemic, Einstein's had plenty of support. "Without our sponsors and the tireless efforts of the students over all the hurdles, there would be no magazine in 2020."
Parallel to the magazine sale, a TV show on the YouTube channel "Journalism Studies" and a website of the magazine will go online. At www.einsteins-magazin.de further stories about solidarity can be viewed and recreated with a click of the mouse. The magazine can be ordered beyond July 24 at the mail address info(at)einsteins-magazin.de.