Migration in Germany
Germany has become a major target of immigration over the last few decades. Our dossier looks at the history of migration to Germany, the integration of migrants into German society, and the variety of their cultural expressions
Migration in Germany
Immigration and Germany
From Foreign Worker to Citizen
It all began with the Turkish-German recruitment agreement in 1961. The so-called "Gastarbeiter", the guest or foreign workers who came to work in Germany, were initially intended to do so only for a short time. But for many of the migrant workers it was all to turn out very differently. Vedat Acikgöz tells their story More »
Media and Integration
Politics as a Corrective of the Fourth Estate
Whilst Germany's leading politicians are striving to find new ways to integrate the country's immigrants, journalists are increasingly displaying an uninhibited petty bourgeois mindset. Politics as a corrective of the fourth estate – a paradox of German history, says Eberhard Seidel More »
Migrants in Germany
Germany's New Elite
The face of Germany's elite is changing, and with it German society. For some time now, new names, new issues and a new language have been making their mark on the country's cultural consciousness. An essay by Andrea Dernbach More »
Interview with Seyla Benhabib
The Guest is Always a Fellow Citizen
The philosopher Şeyla Benhabib has identified a deficit in Germany's democracy. She calls for the right to vote in local elections for non-nationals – and the same legal status for Islam as for other religions. An interview by Deniz Utlu More »
Integration in Germany
"We Need a Third German Unification!"
Armin Laschet, Minister for Intergenerational Affairs, Family, Women and Integration in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, discussed the transformation of the migration model of society and the continued lack of advancement opportunities for immigrants in Germany with Eren Güvercin More »
Navid Kermani on Islam in Germany
A Plea for Cultural Pluralism
The writer and Islamic scholar Navid Kermani has written a refreshingly calm affirmation of the notion of a multicultural society. Ulrich von Schwerin has read the book More »
Interview with Seyran Ates
"Silence Makes Me An Accomplice"
Seyran Ates was born into a Turkish family and moved from Istanbul to Berlin at the age of six. Now a successful lawyer and writer, she has been working for the rights of women for many years. Naima El Moussaoui spoke to her in Berlin More »
The German Under-21 Football Team
Multi-culti Is Dead, Long Live Multi-Culti!
Germany's juniors trumped England 4:0 to win the European U21 Championship in Sweden. The German side is a melting pot of cultures, moulded into a successful squad by the coach Horst Hrubesch. André Tucic introduces the team More »
Portrait: Berlin Hip Hop Singer Sahira
A Berlin Mouth with a Palestinian Heart
Sahira is Berlin's most successful Hip Hop singer. She has already sung for Bushido, established her own label "Imanimusic," and has now completed her second album. She sings about German youth, her faith, Palestine, and true love. Nimet Seker met the singer at her studio in Berlin More »
Interview with Hülya Kandemir
"God Is the Greatest Artist"
The German-born Hülya Kandemir was a successful singer and songwriter, collaborating with major stars. Then she found Islam and wrote her autobiography "Himmelstochter" ("Daughter of Heaven"). Now she is experiencing a comeback. Nimet Seker spoke with her about art and music in IslamMore »
Migrants in Contemporary German-language Literature
Two Worlds Under One Sky
Migrants have generally played a fairly minor role in German literature. The Germanist Katy Derbyshire asks how this reflects the country's social reality – and takes a comparative look at British literature More »
Sherko Fatah: "The Dark Ship"
Man, a Shard in the Sand
Sherko Fatah's new novel tells of a young man who joins holy warriors in Iraq, only to turn his back on them and flee to Germany. But there the past catches up with him. Volker Kaminski reports on the book More »
Portrait Feridun Zaimoglu
From "Educated Kanakster" to Literary Star
For Feridun Zaimoglu, it's been a long hard fight to be taken seriously as a German author. But the linguistic juggler with Turkish parents and a German passport has now received the Corine International Book Award for his novel Liebesbrand. Eren Güvercin traces his path from the early days of Kanak Sprak to his current highMore »
Asli Bayram
Turkish-Born Beauty Queen as Anne Frank
The days when actors of Turkish origin were considered exotic in Germany or relegated to supporting roles are long over. A prime example is the former Miss Germany, Asli Bayram, who in her role as Anne Frank deliberately breaks with the old stereotypes. Nimet Seker reports More »
Interview with Neco Celik
"I Am an Integration Objector"
Gettopump, Urban Guerillas, Black Virgins: These are the names of some of the film and theatre projects of Neco Celik, a German director of Turkish descent. A German daily dubbed him the German Spike Lee – a reputation confirmed the New York Times. Nimet Seker met him in Berlin KreuzbergMore »
Feridun Zaimoglu's "Black Virgins"
Islamo-Feminism Goes Radical
They are furious, shameless and radical: In his documentary theatre piece "Black Virgins," Feridun Zaimoglu has lent a voice to young Muslim women. Nimet Seker reports More »
Portrait of Hilal Sezgin
"There's No Such Thing as a Typical Turkish Woman"
Hilal Sezgin is one of the few journalists of Turkish origin who reports intelligently and without bias on Islam, women's rights and integration in Germany– a boon for the features sections of German newspapers. Nimet Seker introduces the author More »
Gazelle – A Multicultural Women's Magazine
For a Positive and Multi-faceted Image
After searching in vain for a magazine that appeals to the interests of female immigrants, Sineb El Masrar decided to found her own women's magazine. "Gazelle" is Germany's first multicultural women's magazine. Naima El Moussaoui introduces the new publicationMore »
Intercultural Magazine "Mikses"
Meet Your Prejudice
Germany's new magazine Mikses hopes to inject new life into the country's media arena and act as a mouthpiece for the younger intercultural community. Nimet Seker paid the editors a visit More »
Educational Migrants from Third Countries
"Graduate Quickly and Leave"
Every year, approximately 94,000 students from developing countries and from the Islamic world come to study in Germany. Despite the lack of highly qualified experts in Germany, many of these students leave the country after graduation. Najima El Moussaoui explains why More »
Study on Turkish Academics and Students in Germany
Squandered Potential
They have graduated from the university, are bilingual and at home in two cultures: college graduates of Turkish descent in Germany. A recent study provides the first statistics about this elite segment of the population and reveals surprising findings. Nimet Seker reports More »
