Description
Suhl has been the location of the central initial reception centre for refugees in Thuringia since 2014. Since then, there has been a lot of talk in Suhl about the people in the centre, but little with the people who are directly involved. That’s why we interviewed them: From residents on the footpath into town and a retailer, to refugees and people affected by racism, to employees of an advice centre or the local newspaper. Whether they like it or not, they all have repeated dealings with the centre and have had different experiences. Of course, these seven interviews by no means represent all the perspectives that are important for the topic. But they are a start.
Following on from our newspaper project about Suhl-Nord, we have now compiled these experiences in this photo-text newspaper. The interview transcripts are supplemented by facts and figures on the topic and photos of different realities of life in Suhl. In this way, we want to provide a glimpse behind the superficially visible problems and stimulate reflection: How can the different perspectives be brought together?
We want to use the different perspectives to emphasise the complexity of the issue of migration and integration in Suhl and beyond. In our view, apportioning blame and making hasty judgements will not get us anywhere. Not only does this hurt people and break off the discourse, it also jeopardises our chance to really make Suhl a better place to live. Because for us, the question must always be at the centre: If we put the well-being of all people at the centre, what solutions can we come up with?
Almost all the people we spoke to recognise the need for more dialogue – about fears, prejudices, different realities of life and security needs. And we are committed to continuing this dialogue after publication. This can happen in our “Community Art Centre”, which we are opening in the centre of Suhl at the end of September. We are already planning an initial workshop for young people to engage with the newspaper and publish their reactions as a podcast and on the project website. The newspaper and the dialogue about it can also come to you: At your school, in your coffee group or at your workplace – talk to us. Support us in distributing the newspapers if you think the project is important. And why not take the conversations in the newspaper as an inspiration to start a dialogue yourself – with people who have a different perspective.
unofficial.pictures Suhl in August 2024
