VEMAG Employees Pack 5,000 Book Bags for Children During the Week of Freedom of Expression

Cologne, April – In a remarkable show of commitment, employees of VEMAG came together in April for a corporate volunteering initiative, packing around 5,000 book bags for children. Each bag is filled with five high-quality books from VEMAG’s children’s imprint SCHWAGER & STEINLEIN, as well as the educational brochure "Was ist was? Democracy" published by Tessloff Verlag.

The book bags are being distributed from May 3 to May 10 — Week of Freedom of Expression — to children in socially disadvantaged communities, through trusted local partners including Kölsche Fründe and the Cologne Food Bank (Kölner Tafel). Recipient organizations were carefully selected based on recommendations from VEMAG staff.

With this initiative, VEMAG aims to promote democratic values and combat the spread of fake news. The message printed on each bag emphasizes the crucial link between reading and democracy:

"It all starts with reading! Why is reading so important? Strong reading skills help our children navigate the world of diverse information and opinions. They improve the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood — and in doing so, we strengthen the democracy of tomorrow."

The Week of Freedom of Expression is a nationwide campaign initiated by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. Between May 3, International Press Freedom Day, and May 10, the Day of Remembrance for the Book Burnings in Germany, freedom of speech is celebrated through events, exhibitions, and community actions across the country.

Recipient Organizations:

• Kölsche Fründe
• Cologne Food Bank (Die Tafeln Köln)
• Social District Coordination Office Kalk (Sozialraumkoordinationsstelle Kalk)
• Wir für Pänz e.V.
• Kölner Kreidekreis e.V.
• Iglu gUG
• Europolis Köln e.V. – Hundertwasser School Altena
• Children and Youth Centre Meschenich
• Kindernöte e.V.
• Various kindergartens
• Bonn Food Bank (Die Tafel Bonn)