| Intercultural
event "INTERKUUL 2001" |
|
Dr.
József Wieszt
Heimvolkshochschule Hustedt
Abstract
In
autumn 2000, employees of the Residential College Hustedt (HVHS),
members of various ethnic and cultural minorities, facilitators
of integration work and members of the city administration founded
a network with the objective of making a common contribution to
integration in the city of Celle and its region by cultural means.
For that purpose we founded a work group to prepare for the intercultural
city event "INTERKUUL 2001". It took place on 23rd September
2001 and brought together between 4,000 and 5,000 people of various
ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
During the preparation period and analysis of the project work there
were many meetings, talks, discussions, inquiries, studies, plans
and organisational work which were already part of an intercultural
laboratory. The preparation phase, and the event itself, provided
many practical opportunities for intercultural learning and offered
various occasions to enhance the awareness of the participants’
own culture as well as learning to know better, and respect, other
cultures.
Our project created many impressions and started activities which
contributed to a better understanding between the cultures with
regard to tolerance and integration; they also initiated a form
of public, conscious neighbourhood between members of minority cultures
and the culture of the majority.
Awareness of our Residential College and our educational programmes
was also improved among the citizens of Celle, particularly among
migrants and minorities.
Goals
and objectives
By
participating in the project we intended to make a contribution
to improve the coexistence of the majority society and minorities
in Celle and its region, as well as the coexistence of the different
minorities. We intended to enhance the sensibility for other cultures
and to foster an awareness with regard to our own culture.
By improving mutual information we tried to intensify the interest
in and the knowledge about other cultures; our further intention
was to initiate and foster a willingness to establish intercultural
contacts and meetings.
Working with migrants and cultural minorities, we tried to select
fields of co-operation for the above mentioned groups, create an
appropriate network, and thereby support the formation of contacts
between migrants and minorities and the city administration.
This was to be achieved by our joint organisation of small intercultural
events and productions, with a large intercultural festival for
the city of Celle and its region as a main event.
Contents
Having initially discussed and planned the project internally, we
started to go out "into the streets" to establish contacts
with different minorities, associations, institutions and organisations
with which we wanted to implement the project. The migrant groups
were mainly Yezidic Kurds, Turks and repatriated Germans from Russia.
We visited their associations as well as some of them in their homes,
and invited them to visit us; we went to their events and festivities
to present our project. It was through this dialogue that we could
gain their representatives' confidence, awaken their interest in
co-operation with us, and integrate them into our network.
From the beginning of our work, the "Forum against Violence
and Right-Wing Extremism" in Celle to which our organisation
belongs, was an essential support for us. Its members come from
various civilian social associations, institutions and organisations,
which fight against xenophobia and violence and work for tolerance
and overcoming prejudices, in short: doing integration work. These
include representatives of trade unions, churches, political parties,
as well as other political, social and charitable organisations
and associations and last but not least, representatives of the
city administration.
This was in favour of the project and facilitated its conception,
so that we could acquire the city administration as a partner and
co-organiser of our intercultural event, and that we could rely
on the support of various administrative offices. These included:
Social Welfare Office, Youth Welfare Office, Public Affairs Office,
Tourist Office. In addition local politicians also actively supported
our work.
Furthermore,
we secured the support of a large number of people from the above-mentioned
institutions, organisations, foundations and associations, who were
prepared to permanently work in our "preparation group".
In addition, representatives of educational associations, vocational
schools, schools, youth centres, kindergartens and individuals participated
in our work. Finally the preparation group consisted of 20 to 25
people meeting on a regular basis in various groupings. The above-mentioned
processes and preparation lasted approximately one year, from 1st
October 2000 to 23rd September 2001.
In the meetings
of the preparation group we worked on the content and organisation
and discussed new ideas. We discussed and reflected on our work,
developed our activities, organised and improved our resources,
planned and developed our intercultural event, "INTERKUUL 2001".
Representatives of minorities living in Celle as well as other immigrants
participated regularly in the group work, particularly Yezidic Kurds,
Turks, and repatriates from Russia and Kazakhstan. It was with their
participation that we could ensure that our preparations corresponded
to their ideas, needs and wishes.
During the preparation period, we worked intensively on public relations,
advertising and particularly on raising sponsorship to fund the
planned main event.
At the end of this period, we had a clear idea of the content and
organisation in the process of the event "INTERKUUL 2001".
All participating groups had developed ideas and concepts of how
to present themselves and their integration work during our event.
That was also true for the minorities and immigrants who wanted
to give a general idea of their situation and their daily life in
Celle, of their way of life and their culture.
Preparation
seminar
During a preparation seminar "Integration and Cultural Bridging",
organised two weeks prior to the intercultural event, we once again
ascertained our goals. Measures were put into place to achieve these
objectives. Even after careful and critical examination, we were
convinced that bringing different cultures together in a joint intercultural
event would be a good way to foster the awareness of one's own culture
and the understanding of other cultures.
We finished the final organisational coordination, agreed on the
schedule for the event, determined the arrangement for the stage
and the stands and also decided on the contributions of the groups
and the job allocations during the event. We went about the last
days before the event with the feeling of having prepared the event
properly and being able to conclude any remaining work in time.
Then the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, hit the United
States and caused a situation that jeopardized the implementation
of our event. For quite some time, the city administration of Celle,
our co-organiser, thought about cancelling the entire event. After
intense discussions we finally agreed on continuing with the event
using the following argument:
It would be an additional victory for the terrorists, if an event
which was to take place in the name of cultural understanding, was
cancelled because of their crimes. In such a situation it is necessary
to demonstrate publicly the will and commitment to understanding
and solidarity with people of other cultures, and also to protect
Islamic fellow citizens against general allegations and discrimination.
INTERKUUL
2001
On 23rd September 2001, our event finally took place on the largest
square in the centre of Celle. It opened at 11.00 am and ended at
5.00 pm. The opening speeches pointed out the special importance
of the event only a few days after the terrorist attacks in the
United States and emphasized the will to coexist peacefully with
our foreign fellow citizens.
INTERKUUL 2001 was also the initial event of the "Week of the
Foreign Fellow Citizen" in Celle.
At the beginning the weather was dull, but fortunately cleared up
later. Accordingly the ambience and atmosphere also became brighter.
The programme included music, song and dance from different cultures,
as well as good food and drinks. There were a number of activities
for children and teenagers to participate in and the adults were
invited to take part in a language game. A programme, printed in
six languages, pointed out the highlights of the day and an excellent
presenter cheerfully led through the event. He invited visitors
and guests of the different ethnic groups to participate in talks,
exchange of experience and common activities.
All over the
square there were lively conversations and many friendly and festive
people talked –perhaps for the first time - in an unrestrained
manner to people they had never taken much notice of before, or
might even have considered with suspicion. In short, the joint event
INTERKUUL 2001 was an excellent platform for an unrestrained and
positive encounter of people of different cultures and also for
intercultural learning.
About 4,000 to 5,000 people attended the event. So far, no intercultural
event of this dimension has ever taken place in the city of Celle.
All the people involved, as well as the local press, considered
it a great success. In particular, the representatives of the participating
minorities and many members of other cultures were glad that they
could participate in such an event.
According to estimates we learned that about 60 per cent of the
visitors and guests were members of the majority culture and about
40 per cent members of different minority cultures. Fortunately,
many families came to visit the event with their children, as well
as teenagers.
We also want
to point out the large contribution to the project and especially
to our intercultural event that our partners and the local network
made with respect to financing and manpower. The City of Celle estimates
its expenses (non-cash benefits and manpower) at about DM 12,000
(German marks), additional to the monetary subsidy of the city and
the rural district. We estimate the value of our local network's
participation (manpower and non-cash benefits) in preparation and
realization of the intercultural event at about DM 20,000. In addition,
the sponsorship money we could procure, amounted to DM 9,050; sum
total: DM 41,050.00 = € 20,988.53 (Euro).
Without these indirect and direct project and event subsidies from
our partners and our network, an intercultural event of this dimension
would not have been feasible. This is not taking into consideration
the services on our own account as a Residential College and the
subsidies of the Grundtvig Project.
Analysis
seminar
On 11th November 2001, the members of the analysis seminar confirmed
our view with respect to the success of the event. Some participants
would have wished for more integrating activities, e.g. not only
spontaneous, but also organised dancing and singing together. Others
would have preferred it if the event had lasted into the evening.
Finally there was complete agreement in the desire to produce another
intercultural event of a smaller scope during the remaining time
of the project.
Further
activities and consequences
During the period from November 2001 to April 2002 we continued
co-operation with our local network. We analysed and thought of
how to publish the results of our present work and continue the
project together with our local partners.
The production of a video titled "INTERKUUL 2001" was
one additional result. The video documents the event and contributes
greatly to the public becoming aware of its results. The video forms
part of the city's public library’s collection as well as
the district's film archives. In addition we have made it available
to schools, vocational schools, associations and other interested
parties.
On 9th November 2001, an ecumenical mass was celebrated in the municipal
church of Celle, which was attended by Christians of all denominations,
Muslims, Yezidic Kurds, Buddhists and representatives of the Jewish
community. In the evening we held a music event which was attended
by members of different cultures.
Weekend
seminar "Islam"
During a weekend seminar from April 20th to 21st, 2002, with the
subject "Islam – religious, cultural and social-political
aspects", network members and vocational scholars from Celle
dealt with this topic. Apart from German colleagues, representatives,
especially of the Turkish minority from Celle and its region participated
in the seminar. A competent speaker gave a lecture, followed by
an extensive discussion about the different aspects of Islam, particularly
about the coexistence of Germans and Turks. It was particularly
favourable that about 15 vocational scholars who had just started
with an Islam project in their school participated in the seminar.
They were visibly further motivated with regard to a continuation
of their work.
During the second part, we discussed an intercultural weekend in
our Residential College Hustedt, which we intended to organise in
August 2002.
Visit
to the mosque
A few weeks after our seminar, the "Turkish-Islamic association,
Nienhagen", one of our partners, invited us to visit the mosque
and to attend a mass. Apart from the Islamic believers, about 20
people from Celle and its neighbourhood participated, including
members of our network. It was an impressive event which helped
to intensify the co-operation with this partner.
Seminar
"Intercultural learning"
From August 10th to 11th 2002, we hosted a seminar in the Residential
College Hustedt with the subject "Intercultural learning through
cultural productions – utopia or reality?". We witnessed
an engaging discussion by a highly qualified Italian instructor
about the experience with the coexistence of different cultures,
and in particular, immigrants reported intensely and frankly on
their situation. Many statements during the discussion referred
to our event "INTERKUUL 2001". Besides local representatives
of our network, the participants were mainly Yezidic Kurds and muslim
Turks.
In the evening, there was an intercultural event in our school which
was hosted by our Turkish partner and ourselves. Turkish meals,
music and dance, as well as an exchange of experiences and conversation,
contributed to a successful intercultural event that evening. In
addition to the participants of our seminars, about 40 members of
the Turkish minority came with their children from outside Celle
to celebrate.
An analysis next morning came to the conclusion that joint cultural
productions of members of the majority and minority cultures were
considered to be a very appropriate means to learn from each other
and to enhance the awareness of one's own culture as well as the
tolerance towards other cultures. Cultural productions with intercultural
claims and contents were considered to be an important contribution
to integration in multicultural societies.
Intercultural
cooking
Shortly after this weekend, there was an "intercultural cooking"
event in the rural district of Celle, with women of different cultural
minorities and representatives of the majority culture participating.
Representatives of our network also participated. The women had
a pleasant evening talking to each other about their traditions,
meals and drinks, invitations and visits, and also about festivities
and events.
According to
the various demands, we applied multi-faceted methods during the
project.
Within the complex
contact approach/encounter we particularly applied methods such
as conversations, invitations, visits, brief reports, overhead slides
and discussions. The main aspect of the applied methods was to gain
the participants' confidence, to convince them of the importance
of our work, and to motivate the addressees to participate in the
project work. First of all, we had to establish a good relationship
with the minorities' representatives and convince them of the purpose
of our project. That also meant clearly communicating advantages
to the representatives which the project could possibly provide
them with: e.g. more attention to their problems, public perception,
informing the German population about their situation, their daily
life and culture, reducing prejudice and xenophobic attitudes, overcoming
isolation, arranging contacts with representatives of the city,
articulation and support of their demands.
It was particularly
important for the work in the preparation group to assure continuity
and the binding character of participation. The meeting appointments
had to be fixed so that all members could attend the meetings as
often as possible. Transparency and frankness were the principles
of this work, all information was made accessible to everybody.
This step ensured confidence and enhanced motivation to participate.
It was a positive aspect that some members, if willing, were assigned
tasks on which they reported in the follow-up meetings. We discussed
all suggestions and the majority of the decisions were made unanimously.
To provide as many resources as possible for the preparation group,
we continually asked ourselves the question; ‘who to pick
for which contribution to the project?’, utilising people
within the group as well as from outside. By this means we soon
had a general overview of all feasible possibilities.
There was an amazing variety of existing integrative activities
and initiatives in the social field. Our project provided an opportunity
to emphasize the cultural aspect of integration. Soon, interested
people understood that intercultural activities can indeed bring
fun and pleasure to the process of integration, therefore people
begin to favour integration.
In the seminars
we also dealt with the theoretical side of the encounter of cultures
and intercultural learning, which, however, was only one main field
among many. The project was very much practice-orientated so that
we constantly came back to discuss the situation and the problems
of immigrants in their daily life. We received reports about the
personal biography and the family background of participants (biographic
method, work on individual cases), as well as about the actual life
situation, the problems and experiences in the field of mutual social
relations (interview, report, inquiry). Again and again, we had
to deal with "inter -cultural situations" or we re-created
them by using prepared dialogues or role-play. By discussing these
situations we obtained a lot of information and cognition about
our own culture and others. The discussions also enhanced awareness
of our own culture. Apart from that, we added analytical and receptive
methods to these processes, methods for getting to know each other
and illustrating other cultures and religions (impulse reports,
reports, overhead slides, photos, videos, multimedia learning patterns).
We planned and
organised the "INTERKUUL 2001" event in a way that gave
as many possibilities for intercultural encounters as possible.
This was true for families with children (people could participate
in activities such as a make-up course, painting, doing handicrafts
or playing, and there was a playing mobile, a magician and a circus
for children), for teenagers (fitness contest of the MTV sports
club Celle), as well as for adults (eating and drinking together
with people of different ethnic and cultural origin, accordingly
a wide variety of meals and drinks and finally having the chance
of getting to know and speak to each other, spontaneous invitations
to dance together and so on). We also offered a "language game"
and hereby created an organised activity for all members of different
cultures to gain initial direct contact with each other. The task
was to ask people who one considered came from another culture for
words in their respective languages. According to our observations
people made abundant use of these opportunities. Kurdish and German
music and dance groups as well as groups of repatriates from Russia
provided superb musical entertainment
Best Practice
The main success of our participation in the project was that the
event "INTERKUUL 2001" took place in the city of Celle
and the intercultural evening was arranged at the Residential College
Hustedt. Both events allowed people from different ethnic and cultural
backgrounds to meet each other and make contact in a friendly atmosphere.
Boosting their consciousness regarding their own culture, people
actively increased their tolerance towards other cultures practising
acceptance in the most practical way of all.
The second significant result was the good work of our network and
preparation group. Often, the group constituted a wide field for
experimenting with regard to the handling of cultural differences,
it was an offer to jointly achieve successes and solve problems.
At the same time, this co-operation offered an excellent opportunity
for intercultural learning and multi-ethnic practice. The good results
of the co-operation was a significant contribution to the project's
overall success.
Strengthening
the existing integration network in the city of Celle and the region
as well as enriching it by cultural exercise and practice has to
be considered an additional success. It became quite clear that
the "cultural dimension" - i.e. adequate perception and
respect with regard to other cultures is a very important aspect
of integration. We do not consider it a biased process of adaptation
of immigrants and minorities to the majority's society, but a complete
society-specific development of actively taking steps to meet the
other party that demands at least as much commitment and responsibility
from the "residents" as from the "migrant groups".
The improvement
of the contacts, above all, of Yezidic Kurds with the city administration
is a direct result of the project and the intercultural event. They
contributed mainly to improving mutual perception and communication.
Several meetings have been held since.
Another very
special result of the project was that we were able to win all political
parties as sponsors – as well as businesses and financial
institutes- for "INTERKUUL 2001". The co-operation of
the city's administration was exceptionally helpful in this matter.
A very positive
aspect of the intercultural event was that individual civil associations,
federations, charitable and social institutions, educational institutes
as well as migrant group's associations were given ample opportunity
to present themselves with their stalls and booths. Everybody was
given the chance to present visitors and guests with their work,
showing their integration efforts.
I would like
to express my special thanks to public relations, advertisement,
and cooperation with the local printed media. The support from the
Celle’s local newspapers for our project was very great
Last, but not least, the follow-up results and activities are also
of some importance. They ensure the improvement of the atmosphere
and contacts between residents and migrants and minorities in the
city of Celle and the entire region. The City's slogan "We
in Celle" has indeed received new momentum by focussing on
the situation of the "foreign citizens" and showing that
you can live with them and celebrate with them in perfect neighbourliness.
Which, of course, is also true for the other relationship direction.
Comments
Participating staff members as well as our educational institution
were glad to receive such positive feedback from private and public,
especially with regard to the good success of the "INTERKUUL
2001" event. As proof, we would like to present some comments
from the local press (all translated):
"'Interkuul
2001': A motley meeting on the Großen Plan (large square)
Almost like a large family: 4,000 people of the city of Celle celebrate
the intercultural event
At the 'Interkuul 2001', approximately 4,000 people from Celle,
being of the most diverse nationalities came together to seek talks
and entertainment in an atmosphere unconstrained and almost familiar
that is not often to be found in Celle" (Cellesche Zeitung,
24th September 2001)
"'Interkuul
2001' a giant success with about 4,000 visitors and guests'
'German folk music meets Kurd music band: An absolute first!'
Organisation members of the first intercultural event in Celle,
the 'Interkuul 2001' did in fact make the right decision. Despite
the terrorist attacks in the U.S.A., the initial schedule was maintained
and the event was not cancelled
'When the atmosphere is right, it is so much easier to meet and
interact with each other', say Margret and Yayla. It is especially
for this event that they have put on the Kurdish traditional costume....'This
is, where you meet other people that you do not have much contact
with otherwise' they sum up the advantages of the day's event. (...)
'Just like a large family reunion' - Behije Altun, member of the
committee of the Yezidic Cultural Centre in Celle, is almost carried
away by emotions.' 'Co-operation and the atmosphere between the
cultures is exemplary', as is the communication between the organizers
and the City." (Celler Kurier, September 26th, 2001)
Another comment
regarding the intercultural evening at the Residential College Hustedt:
"Turkish hospitality at the Aller river”
One was instantly reminded of The Arabian Nights when the folk dancers
group of the Turkish-Islamic Union Nienhagen danced to oriental
music. And music, fun, and talking were indeed the central and common
focus during this intercultural night that the Residential College
Hustedt had invited everybody to come to." (Cellesche Zeitung,
August 14th, 2002)
Both of the
above chapters already anticipated many elements that were taken
into consideration when evaluating the project. Therefore, in addition
to some problems, we would like to mention suggestions and ideas
that came up during the evaluation seminar in November 2001.
Problems encountered
Besides the usual problems and organisation slip-ups normally associated
with events of such size there were two significant problems that
we would like to name:
On the one hand, all the contacts that we were able to establish
in the initial stages of the project to a Russian repatriates' association
and to individual Kurds seemed to vanish into thin air never to
play another part in the further project development. The association
dissolved at the end of the year 2000, and was no longer available
as a partner organisation.
With regard to the first contact with the Yezidic Kurds, the problem
was that we had talked to private persons only. It was only when
we established contacts to existing associations that we succeeded
in developing sound cooperation. The development was very good once
young members of the board underwent efforts in support of open
cooperation.
On the other hand, our initially successful initiative to integrate
the association of repatriates from Russia into the project proved
to be a failure, one reason was that many of the migrants from the
former Soviet Union do not like to be considered a cultural minority.
All the more need then for our thanks to the Russian-German group
of artists who knew how to musically centre at least some attention
to the cultural background of this minority group.
Some selected
suggestions and ideas for a continuation of the "Interkuul
Process" in Celle and surrounding region that came up during
the evaluation seminar:
Opening of a
Café "Interkuul" in the City of Celle;
Establishing a help desk and consulting location for migrants and
the "Ausländerbeirat",
Founding an "exercise company": "Intercultural City
Council";
Organising an exhibition with the topic "Where we come from
- how we live";
Offering more language courses for migrants, e.g. "A comparison
of cultures" (possibly at the Residential College HVHS Hustedt
respectively at the Volkshochschule Celle), asking professors from
foreign cultures to teach and lecture;
Performing special intercultural events for students and young persons;
Arranging to let institutions "adopt" migrants (associations,
churches, schools and so on.);
Presenting successful activities to the public as "intercultural
bridging";
Integrating even more ethnic groups and cultural minorities into
the work;
Identifying also the needs and requirements of the majority group
with regard to relations with migrants and minorities;
Allow for an annual "INTERKUUL" event.
Dr. József
Wieszt
Heimvolkshochschule Hustedt (Residential College Hustedt)
Zur Jägerei 81
29229 Celle
Germany
Phone: 0049 (0)5086 989728 / -0
Fax: 0049 (0)5086 989777
e-mail: wieszt@hvhs-hustedt.de
The video film
"INTERKUUL 2001" is available (for hire) at the Residential
College.
Tips
for reading:
Erwachsenenbildung mit ethnischen Minderheiten und Migrant/innen,
Eine Handreichung für Erwachsenenbildner/innen in Europa, Projekthandbuch
des Netzwerkes "Lernen, in einer multikulturellen Gesellschaft
zu leben" IIZ/DVV und NIACE
Erpenbeck, Gabriele, Wir leben in einer Einwanderungsgesellschaft
, in: forum bildung, 1/99, Hannover
Guth, Helmut, Politische Bildung für eine multikulturelle Gesellschaft
, in: Politische Bildung 1/91, Wien
Schulte, Axel, Zwischen Idee und Realität .... Demokratie als
Leitbild von Politik und Pädagogik in der multikulturellen
Einwanderungsgesellschaft, in: forum bildung, 1/91, Hannover
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