Photo: Photocase/bIO-54oThe residents' program of the Evangelical Church in Germany connects Wittenberg with Lutheran churches all over the world.Hungary is the home of the theologian Gyula Makoviczky, who has moved to Wittenberg with his family, as the third "international resident". Each year, the Evangelical Church in Germany invites a theologian from a partner church for a six- or twelve-month residency in the Luther City.

"He changed the world for ever", stated the final credits of the film "Luther" about the Reformer. Beginning with the posting of the theses in Wittenberg, the ideas of the Reformation took hold all over Germany, as well as in many other countries throughout the world. It is this international significance of the movement that the Luther Decade strives to demonstrate and to unfold before the Reformation anniversary in 2017.

Coinciding with the Luther Decade, the Evangelical Church in Germany has therefore launched the program "International Wittenberg Resident". Every year, one or two theologians from a partner church are invited for a period between six and twelve months to stay as residents in the Luther City of Wittenberg. Thus, an international network consisting of at least ten residents will grow during the course of the Luther Decade. The program "International Wittenberg Resident" opens doors from Wittenberg into the world: the residents contribute their own perspectives to the Luther Decade – and they also carry the preparations for the Reformation anniversary with them into their home church.

Local projects and contact to the home church

The residents speak German fluently. During their time in Wittenberg they work on a theological research project connected with the heritage of the Reformation. While they participate locally in projects of the office "Luther 2017 – 500 years of Reformation", they also stay in touch with their home churches, providing information about the Luther Decade and arising interest in the heritage of the Reformation.
The residents' program is therefore able to stimulate active relationships between Wittenberg, Germany, the home church of the respective resident, as well as Christians all over the world. This results in an international network and a broad and varied debate about the common ground and the future of the movement of the Reformation. The Evangelical Church in Germany supports the stay of the residents by providing accommodation and a monthly allowance; the home churches pay their salary.

Further information about the residents' program: Project assistant Katariina Ylikännö, Luther 2017 - 500 years of Reformation (Office of the Evangelical Church in Germany - EKD), Telephone: +49-3491-505 27-10, Mail: .