A dialogue project between Friedland (D) and Moria (GR)

Transit

The two villages of FRIEDLAND in southern Lower Saxony and MORIA on the Greek island of Lesbos have one thing in common: it is only because of their geographical location that they have become historical hubs of migration and both now house large refugee camps. What can a village on Europe’s external borders convey to us in the middle of Europe? Which impressions can be experienced first hand? Which experiences can be shared particularly well on the basis of shared experiences of village life and camp proximity?   In the laboratory project we tried to find out which experience-based expertise on migration can be found among the villagers. What can we learn from these experiences for society as a whole? What do the villagers have to tell each other?   In a interview based research in both villages, we talked to inhabitants who are now accompanying life in the camp as silent observers or as participating helpers. The recorded conversations explored questions about how life in the camp is perceived, what contact there is with refugees who are only in transit, what these people need and where European refugee policy is failing or inadequate.   On 23 November 2019, we used video conferencing to bring the previously interviewed German and Greek villagers* and other interested parties into a dialogue about their everyday lives, the stories they encounter, the challenges they face and the skills they acquire as a result. But also about the lack of political solutions for the major problems that are currently escalating in Moria.   This led to the desire for action on the part of the villagers* in Friedland and an open letter to the Lower Saxony Minister of the Interior, Pistorius, was jointly formulated. Because: “In order to bring about acute help in this escalating situation in Moria, we need you, Mr. Minister, as our political representative, who can create individual solutions.”
Concept: Julia Roesler, Silke Merzhäuser Research Friedland: Eva Völker Research Moria: RefocusMediaLab, Sonia Nandzik Documentation: Judith Franke
Go-Live between Friedland and Moria/Lesbos. Talking about village life with refugee camps 23. November 2019 16-18 Uhr GDL, Haus 4, Raum 126
A Project by werkgruppe2 in Cooperation with ReFocusMediaLabs
Funded by Fonds Darstellende Künste aus Mitteln der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien and Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft