Archive of Refuge

The oral history project “Archive of Refuge” intends to create a digital commemorative site dedicated to those who have fled or migrated to Germany in the 20th and 21st century. Initiated by the journalist Carolin Emcke and in collaboration with the migration researcher Manuela Bojadžijev, the curators will conduct several-hour-long videotaped interviews with people who have experienced flight and displacement about such topics as home, living in exile, belonging and starting life again. Foreign-language interviews will be translated into German and indexed so that they can be accessed online in both languages. The digital platform will be organised as a systematised archive, with which users can search for specific regions, themes, places or questions. Not only will it be accessible to the general public, it will also serve as a source of information and research tool for researchers and journalists. The “Archive of Refuge” is designed to be especially user-friendly. Its purpose is to preserve the memories of the past from oblivion and suppression, while helping us to better understand the current situation in modern migration societies today. At the same time, the project will search for appropriate forms of remembering and witnessing.

Curators: Carolin Emcke, Manuela Bojadžijev
Participants: Mohamed Amjahid, Malek Bajbouj, Lilian-Astrid Geese, Eva Gilmer, Nadja Hermann Charlene Lynch, Ethel Matala de Mazza, Mohammad Sarhangi, Heidi Specogna, Inken Stern, Stefanie Schüler-Springorum, Amir Theilhaber, Joseph Vogl, Gabriele von Arnim

Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin