Storytelling café, karaoke, children's tour: a full programme at ‘Makkaroni Settanta’

Seventy years ago, Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a recruitment agreement for Italian workers that would change the history of both countries forever – and shape countless biographies. The recruitment agreement of 20 December 1955 marked the beginning of the era of so-called guest workers in West Germany.

The exhibition ‘Makkaroni Settanta – Esperimento collettivo’ by our cooperation partner Makkaroni Akadamie deals with the life stories of the Italian pioneers and their descendants. The works in the exhibition tell of memories, identities and legacies of Italian migration and show the diversity with which the second and third generations continue to address the topic today. And they do so in a wide range of artistic forms of expression – from sculpture and painting to video and sound installations to photography, film and poetry.

Concluding storytelling café

The exhibition can be seen at the Temporary Gallery in Cologne (Mauritiuswall 35, 50676 Cologne) until 11 January. The last weekend of the exhibition will be accompanied by a varied programme, including a guided tour especially for children on Saturday, 10 January, which aims to provide a playful introduction to migration history. A karaoke afternoon (10 January) is also part of the programme.

At the concluding storytelling café (11 January), Antonella Giurano, winner of the Cologne 2025 Coexistence Award, will talk to Aurora Rodonò about her own migration history and her long-standing commitment to intercultural projects.

All information can be found at: www.makkaroni-akademie.de