Regina Heygster receives the Cross of Merit for the Peace Tunnel in Bremen

Regina Heygster receives the Cross of Merit for the Peace Tunnel in Bremen

On August 27, 2025, Regina Heygster was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her extraordinary commitment. Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte presented the honor in a ceremonial setting in the fireplace room of the Bremen town hall. This award recognizes their tireless commitment to peace and understanding between cultures and religions, particularly through the realization of the iconic Peace Tunnel.

Regina Heygster, who works as a graphic designer and freelance artist, has also been an art teacher at the Bremen-Ost comprehensive school for over two decades. Her vision of a tunnel as a symbol of peace and openness emerged in the 1990s, and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, she put this idea into practice. The “Friedenstunnel – Bremen sets an example” association. was founded to realize the project in the Remberti Tunnel, which is unique in Germany and has now become part of the international Way of St. James, as the website of the peace initiative schwachhausen-online.de emphasizes.

A place of understanding and culture

The Peace Tunnel is not only a work of art, but also a place of communication and intercultural exchange. The tunnel impresses with large-format mosaics and installation art, including a dove of peace with the Bremen Key and an impressive 100-meter-long mosaic that presents peace texts in 135 languages. The artistic design is rounded off by LED light installations in the vaulted sky and multilingual signage that encourages thought.

In addition, the Peace Tunnel conveys a lasting message through numerous events that promote exchange and understanding. Tours, panel discussions and the school project “Peace starts small” have reached over 4,000 students in the last eight years, as rembertitunnel.de reports. Musical events such as the “Peace Sounds in the Peace Tunnel” are also very popular.

An innovative concept with international flair

The initiative celebrated its 20th anniversary on September 11, 2023, a moment that also underlines the importance of the Peace Tunnel as an educational site and tourist attraction. On the occasion of the anniversary, the “REMBERTISTRASSE” stop was even renamed “REMBERTISTRASSE, FRIEDENSTUNNEL”, which further increases the perception and appreciation of the project in Bremen.

After receiving numerous honors, including the Habenhauser Peace Prize and personal recognition from well-known personalities, Regina Heygster was nominated several times for the German Commitment Prize. Your tireless commitment to peace and tolerance in Bremen has received recognition not only at the local level, but also beyond the city limits.

With the Peace Tunnel, a truly unique project has been created that not only reflects the past, but also symbolizes a positive and hopeful future for intercultural understanding in Bremen, and is therefore considered a shining example of peace work in today's world.