Motif series "Migration history in images"
At the beginning of our series of motifs "Migration History in Pictures" we are devoting ourselves to one of the oldest exhibits in our collection: a list of the "Sudeten Germans" in the Hessian community of Kehrenbach, created by a family member of our lenders from the Rödig family.
Die „deutschstämmige“ Familie Rödig musste in der Folge des Zweiten Weltkriegs 1946 über Nacht Kraslice in Tschechien (damals Graslitz) verlassen. Der Vater legte 1946 dieses Heft an, in dem er die Vertriebenen aus Graslitz in seinem neuen Wohnort in Hessen auflistete. Die Tochter versuchte ein Leben lang, die Erinnerung an die „alte Heimat“ wachzuhalten. Sie engagierte sich in Heimatvereinen zu Graslitz und war ein regelmäßiger Gast auf Landsmannschaftstreffen. Noch lange glaubte die Familie, dass sie in die „alte Heimat“ zurückkehren würde.
The Rödig family, like many others, had to leave Graslitz just 24 hours after receiving the "draft". What they were allowed to take with them was strictly defined. The boxes - often made in large numbers from front doors - were made available to the families. In addition to the prescribed items, the family could also take photos from Graslitz. H. Rödig carefully kept all memorabilia that had to do with the expulsion. The objects tell us stories of forced migration, but also of trying to keep memories alive and to preserve the image of a “home”.
There are several objects from the Rödig family in our collection. The handwritten documentation of forcibly resettled families of the “Sudeten Germans” in the Hessian community of Kehrenbach is just one of them. Also in the DOMiD collection are boxes (E 1318,0001 a-g) and linen bags (E1318, 0007) as well as identity papers (E 1318,0031 d). Many of the exhibits are digitized and accessible in our Virtual Migration Museum.
This and all other motifs from our series "Migration history in pictures" are available as postcards from us at the DOMiD office. You are welcome to pick them up or order them at: presse@domid.org. We would be happy to send you a set free of charge. In our anniversary year 2020 (30 years of DOMiD), a total of twelve motifs with stories from our collection will be created. DOMiD has endeavored to find and contact all rights holders regarding the motifs. If this is not successful in one case, we ask potential rights holders to contact us.
Motif series "Migration history in images"
From 1967 to 1986, the GDR recruited so-called contract workers to counter the shortage of skilled workers. How did they fare and what are the long-term consequences? This is what we are dealing with in this online story.
Motif series "Migration history in images", History
The strike at the Neuss-based automotive supplier Pierburg made headlines nationwide in 1973. The article tells the story of how foreign workers and Germans worked together to improve working conditions.
Motif series "Migration history in images"
Labor migration is often associated with male migrants, when in fact, female migrants represent a remarkable amount of the workforce, e.g. in the health sector. This article describes the roles of migrant women using the example of Korean nurses.
Motif series "Migration history in images"
In addition to working in Germany, music and culture were important components of their free time for many migrant workers. In the current online story, we deal with music interacting with political engagement.
Motif series "Migration history in images"
“Guest workers” ("Gastarbeiter") - this problematic term was used to designate foreign workers who were only supposed to work in Germany for a short time. In the German Liaison Office in Istanbul, these boards advertised job seekers.