For the first time immigrants from Turkey and native Germans worked together in researching the topic of immigration to Germany. From February 15th to August 2nd in 1998 they presented their results in the exhibition "Homeland Abroad – Yaban, Sılan olur. A history of immigration from Turkey" at the Ruhrland Museum in Essen. The show documented the recruitment of migrants from Turkey (from the labour recruitment agreement in 1961 to the settlement of the first generation in the early 1980s) out of both perspectives, German and Turkish. It illustrated the life and work of immigrants with original furniture of worker hostels, official documents of the German and the Turkish recruiting agencies, personal souvenirs, and photos from archives of about 100 Turkish individuals. The Objects, documents, photos, and several installations were arranged in eight chapters on an area of 600 square metres.
The exhibition focused on the beginning of migration to Germany and on the origins of the current situation in Germany where two million people from Turkey are living and working. Those immigrants from the 1960s and 70s and/or their children and grandchildren have long ago become members of the German society and see Germany as their "homeland abroad".
Beyond the usual stereotypes this exhibition explored the history of migrants from Turkey and made the history and the feelings of the immigrants accessible. It was an experience open to all visitors - native Germans as well as immigrants. While native Germans could get access to the unknown world of immigrants and revised the forgotten parts of German history, immigrants from Turkey could relive their experience or the experience of their fathers and grandfathers: Farewell, detachment from their homes, arrival abroad, hope, fulfilment, disappointment, conflict between wanting to stay and to leave.
The exhibition attracted wide public interest. The response was very positive on native Germans as well as on immigrants. About 40 percent of the visitors were of Turkish background. Visitors filled three guest books with their reactions, striking evidence for a painful but healing confrontation with their own memories. Younger visitors commented that they could finally understand what their fathers think, feel and miss.
The exhibition as well as the accompanying catalogue and the brochure were bilingual (German/Turkish). Several fringe events supplemented the exhibition.
Photos: "Ausstellung im Ruhrlandmuseum", Jens Nober, DOMiD-Archive