This year, some very special children and young people were awarded the #FARBENBEKENNEN Award 2021. They had to flee their homeland to come to Germany as refugees, where they now live in Berlin and have displayed great commitment. Maybe as a result of being a class representative, giving free tutoring to fellow students or getting involved in other ways in their free time, at school, or in a club or organisation. For us, they’re quite simply WORLD CLASS!
THE 2021 WINNERS
WINNER OF THE JURY AWARD IN 2021
Shortly after fleeing her home country, Tanaz Molaei (15) learnt the German language and invited her Persian-speaking compatriots – often across great distances – to join a digital school class. A world class. This makes her a role model for everyone. Tanaz would like to use the prize money to produce a film telling her story. She would like to donate the rest to an organisation that helps refugees learn the German language.
WINNER OF THE AUDIENCE AWARD IN 2021 - FIRST PLACE
Sema Rajab (11) fled to Germany with her two siblings. She has already been class president three times, is a dispute mediator at her school, has won a reading competition and has already been a guest at Schloss Bellvue with a theatre group. Sema would like to donate the prize money to her school and the "Be an Angel" organisation, which helped her family to find an apartment at that time.
WINNER OF THE AUDIENCE AWARD IN 2021 - SECOND PLACE
Mohamed Sahly (13) and his family lived in emergency shelters for two years after fleeing before they got an apartment. In the meantime, he tutors other children and gets involved in school aid campaigns collecting donations for Burkina Faso. He also helps the homeless and supports people in Syria. Mohamed would like to donate part of the prize money to Burkina Faso. He wants to donate the rest to an organisation that helps the homeless in Berlin.
WINNER OF THE AUDIENCE AWARD IN 2021 - THIRD PLACE
Shantal Azar (14) was in the 1st class when a bomb hit her school in Syria. Arriving in Berlin, she learned German in just six months. Today, she is a class representative and is involved in the children's and youth parliament for traffic safety at schools. Shantal would like to donate the prize money to her schools in Syria and in Berlin to buy school materials.
WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD IN 2021
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Sofiia Kireeva (11) is a very talented multi-instrumentalist at the Al-Farabi Music Academy. It helps those who have not yet mastered their instrument perfectly and encourages those who lack the motivation to keep practising.
WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD IN 2021
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Morteza Yousofi (14) is a true team player and, as a co-founder of GSJ Habilis, represents both the colours of this sports club and those of the country where he was welcomed after fleeing. For him, the team is about fair play, working together with respect and motivating his fellow team members. His wish is to become a coach one day and to work as a social worker at GSJ Berlin helping others to become part of something big – a fair society.
- WINNER OF THE JURY AWARD IN 2021
- GEWINNERIN DES PUBLIKUMSPREISES 2021 - 1. Platz
- GEWINNER DES PUBLIKUMSPREISES 2021 - 2. Platz
- GEWINNERIN DES PUBLIKUMSPREISES 2021 - 3. Platz
- WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD IN 2021
- WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD IN 2021
OUR JURY FOR 2021
![Sawsan Chebli](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Sawsan_Chebli.jpg)
State of Berlin Delegate to the Federation, Permanent Secretary for Active Citizenship and International Relations (Jury Chair)
![Numan Acar](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Numan_Acar.jpg)
Actor
![Dennis Aogo](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Dennis_Aogo.jpg)
Former national soccer player
![Vartan Bassil](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Vartan_Bassil.jpg)
Founder, Creative Director & CEO of Flying Steps Entertainment GmbH
![Marie von den Benken](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Marie_von_den_Benken.jpg)
Model, designer and author
![Gizem Emre](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Gizem_emre.jpg)
Actress
![Dr. Stefan Franzke](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Stefan_Franzke.jpg)
Managing Director of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH
![Klaas Heufer-Umlauf](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Klaas_Heufer-Umlauf.jpg)
TV presenter, actor, singer, TV producer and entrepreneur
![Beslan Kabartei](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Beslan_Karbatei.jpg)
#FARBENBEKENNEN Laureate 2019
![JAN JOSEF LIEFERS](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jan-Josel_Liefers.jpg)
Actor, musician, director and producer
![MOTSI MABUSE](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Motsi_Mabuse.jpg)
"Let's Dance" judge, dancer, dance coach & actress
![Ha Thu Nguyen](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Ha_Thu_Nguyen.jpg)
State student representative and START scholarship holder
![Sara Nuru](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Sara_Nuru.jpg)
Social entrepreneur, model and speaker - ©Robert Rieger
![Minh-Khai Phan-Thi](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Minh-Khai_Phan-Thi.jpg)
Presenter, actress and host of the podcast anderssein
![Dennenesch Zoudé](/fileadmin/images/jury/Jury_2021/Dennenesch_Zoude__.jpg)
Actress, member of the board of the German Film Academy and patron of the Fairchance Foundation