The Zonta Club of Pforzheim, Germany, addressed the alarming rise in violence against women in Germany, including 155 femicides in 2023—a 16% increase from the previous year—through a poignant event as part of the ORNAMENTA (LUST) cultural program in the Northern Black Forest.

The event, held on 20 July, featured a collaborative performance designed by Pforzheim Dance Theater’s associate director, Mar Rodríguez Valverde, and dramaturge Anna Mohrdiek. The performance engaged 155 local women, symbolizing each femicide victim, who wore black and placed orange shoes on the ground in front of Pforzheim City Hall to honor the lives lost.

Actress Leonie Jacobs delivered a powerful monologue, condemning societal indifference to violence against women, while three dancers performed an excerpt from „MǍĀN“ by ShiYu Liu, symbolizing the journey from suffering to empowerment. Zonta member Sabine Voss concluded the event with a call to action against violence: “Stand up, listen, watch, help, prevent, raise awareness, educate—all together.”

The performance, accompanied by workshops and weeks of community engagement, deeply moved participants and spectators, leaving a lasting impact. The project received overwhelming positive feedback, with offers for future collaborations. Films, photos and further details are available from the club.