New UPF Culture Center Opens in Munich
- khwang562
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Munich, Germany – After almost three years of preparation, on August 10, 2025, members and friends of UPF-Munich attended a very special celebration – the opening of their new premises in Munich-Sendling. They were joined by neighbors, guests, and many of those who had contributed to the completion of this new cultural center.
Interior designers from the firm Greiner+Franz used a very vivid PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate the redesign of the center – the demolition of previous rooms, the consideration of various plans, the selection of new materials, and the final completion.
As an unexpected surprise, at the beginning each guest was presented with a Lebkuchen Herz – or gingerbread heart – a traditional Munich specialty.
In their welcoming address, Mr. and Mrs. Stefan and Jae-Sook Schmid of UPF-Munich emphasized that this was not simply a building, but a place built through vision, courage, and community. They emphasized that the project was entirely initiated by Ms. Gyung H. Lee, who was also the main financier.
Mr. Karl-Christian Hausmann, chairman of UPF-Germany, said in his address that UPF, as an international and interfaith network of individuals and organizations committed to world peace, includes representatives from religion, government, civil society and the private sector. Although UPF is inclusive of all people of goodwill, it sees itself primarily as a faith-based NGO, Mr. Hausmann said. He explained that co-founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon had a vision of world peace based on God’s ideal kingdom on earth. Attempts to realize a world of peace by excluding God were doomed to failure, he said.
Ms. Lee compared each effort to advance world peace with throwing a stone into a still pond, whose ripples then reach every corner of the shore. Steadfast wishes, thoughts, and small actions to bring peace on earth all help to steer our cosmos in a positive direction and create something new, she said.
Between speeches, awards, and discussions, the Best Age Jazz Band performed, and finger food and snacks were provided as refreshments. All participants look forward to many inspiring and exciting future events in these new premises.
