Actors from the “Würzburg Shows Loop” alliance drew attention to this on Wednesday, November 30th, at a press event on the Old Main Bridge. Dieter Wenderlein from the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio reported on the global situation. Around 38.4 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. The African continent in particular and women in particular are still affected to a large extent. “We help with campaigns to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and organize medical help for those affected,” said Wenderlein. But there is also a ray of hope: “The zenith of infections seems to have been passed a long time ago. The numbers have been declining for several years.” Brigitte Hein from the health department of the city and district of Würzburg reported on the situation in Germany, where there are around 90,800 people affected. While the situation in Africa and Asia is often dramatic, there are now very good opportunities to live with the infection in this country. “Drugs manage to reduce the viral load to below the detection limit and protect sexual partners from infection,” emphasized Hein. However, educational work remains important, especially in schools.
“We were just doing prevention work in a school,” reported Heidrun Brand, head of the Caritas Aids advisory service in Lower Franconia. Like the district office and other bodies, she and her team offer quick tests and are involved in the area of prevention. “There are around 1,100 people affected in Lower Franconia, but ten percent don’t know anything about their infection.” Brand and the team at the AIDS advice service, which has been in existence for 35 years under the umbrella of Caritas, want to use a campaign to ensure that people can be tested more quickly. Canon Clemens Bieber, chairman of the Würzburg Diocesan Caritas Association, referred to a special feature of Caritas. The welfare association maintains a sheltered residential group in Würzburg. “The property is aging so we’re looking for a replacement,” Bieber said. The facility is important because those affected are often marginalized and isolated and urgently need socio-educational support. Florian Faller, an employee in the Caritas Aids advisory service, and David Hein from the WuF Center, an association of queer people and groups in the region, emphasized the importance of solidarity in their statements. “The red ribbon that everyone can pin is a sign of solidarity,” said Pfaller. Hein explained that the large loop on Festungsberg will not be illuminated for the first time this year due to the energy crisis. “That’s why it’s important to us as an alliance that as many people as possible attach the little bow.”
Würzburg’s Mayor Judith Jörg thanked her for the wealth of information and the invitation to the event. “I support the concerns and also pass on the suggestions to our schools, because the topic is also well placed there.” “Würzburg shows loop” to a memorial service in the Matthias-Ehrenfried-Haus. The celebration of the word of God begins at 6 p.m. in the large hall and is provided with music by the Sotto Voce choir.