The Wall: We Were There Too!
Project description
The fall of the Berlin Wall was a major turning point in German history. Yet popular accounts largely overlook the perspectives of migrants, especially guest workers from Turkey and the generations that followed them. This group not only witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall at first hand but also experienced and helped to shape the transformation processes that followed.
The project “The Wall: We Were There Too!” (“Mauer: Wir waren auch dabei! Duvar: Biz de vardık!”) puts this often neglected perspective centre stage in order to make visible the experiences and stories of migrants in connection with the Berlin Wall.
The project aims to highlight what the era of the Berlin Wall and the years after its fall meant from the point of view of this population group. It looks not only at the first generation of guest workers but also at their children and grandchildren. The fall of the Wall and its aftermath had a profound impact on many people of Turkish origin – for example, new job opportunities in eastern Germany, the so-called “Zitterprämie” (“jitters bonus”) or experiences of discrimination.
These stories are often left out of mainstream historical accounts, which weakens these groups’ sense of belonging to German history. Yet the history of migration is an important part of the history of Berlin and of Germany – and this is precisely the gap the project seeks to close.
The project is funded by the Bundesstiftung zur Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur (Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship) and the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Berlin (Berlin State Agency for Civic Education).
What does the project offer?
Workshops: Topics such as archival research, oral history and the history of migration are explored in depth in a range of hands-on workshops.
Panel discussions: Three events addressing the era of the Berlin Wall, its fall and their impact on people of Turkish origin, including a look at current issues.
Films: Screenings portraying the experiences of young people and contemporary witnesses – from the events surrounding the fall of the Wall and the border crossings to the impact on today’s generations.
Target group and materials
The project is aimed primarily at young people aged 14 to 18 (from Year 9 until they leave school) and seeks to offer them a new perspective on the history of the Berlin Wall through a variety of formats.
In the course of the project, materials – worksheets, films and transcribed interviews – will be produced and made available for free download on the project website. These materials are suitable for use in schools as well as in museums, memorial sites and foundations.
Aims of the project
The project “The Wall: We Were There Too!” seeks not only to strengthen historical awareness but also to foster a sense of community. Its aim is for migrants to be recognised as part of the history of Berlin and Germany, and for their experiences to become visible as an integral part of German historiography.
In addition, the project aims to create a space for dialogue in which to reflect on migration, diversity and tolerance. Through panel discussions, films, workshops and educational materials, it not only conveys knowledge about the history of the Berlin Wall but also highlights the social and cultural significance of migration history for today’s society.
Cooperation partners
- Aufbruch Neukölln e.V.
- Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung.
- Türkischer Bund in Berlin-Brandenburg (TBB) e.V.
- Türkischer Elternverein in Berlin-Brandenburg (TEVBB) e.V.
- Türkisch-Deutsche Unternehmervereinigung (TDU) e.V.
Contact:
E-Mail: mwad@alevi.org