My frankfurt and me. portraits

Frankfurt is known for its multicultural diversity. At the latest, the World Cup in Germany has shown that its motto "The world as a guest of friends" has hardly suited any city as well as the Main metropolis. Certainly, the problems of migration policy, which are currently being discussed by politicians and the media, sometimes more, sometimes less objectively, are not unknown to the people of Frankfurt. But that there is another way, that an open-minded coexistence is possible, that there is real integration here, is fortunately perceptible again and again. The best example of this is the "Parade der Kulturen", which has long since become a fixed institution and celebrates cultural diversity in a wonderful way.

Although there will be no "Parade der Kulturen" in 2011, the basic idea behind this major event can be celebrated again this year in a particularly worthwhile way. Together with the Frankfurter Jugendring, Societäts Verlag has published the illustrated book "mein frankfurt und ich", in which fifty people from a wide variety of backgrounds have had themselves photographed at their very personal favourite places in their adopted home of Frankfurt. The outer appearance of the portrayed represents their original origin, the surroundings their new home. This fusion is the special charm of this book, whose accompanying texts are presented in both German and English.

For example, Constanta Danilovic from Romania poses at the Westhafen in the Gutleutviertel, Agassi Bangura from Sierra Leone relaxes in a very special way in his studio in the Städelschule, Adriana Roselinda Sitepu-Valk had herself photographed in the Zoological Garden, and the German-Austrian couple Barbara and Thomas Hentschl bring a touch of Tyrol to the Palmengarten. The photos often captivate with a staged simplicity, through which the blending of different cultural influences can be expressed very vividly and authentically.

This original parade of cultures is a fine example of successful integration. In a time when mostly only its negative sides are talked about, "mein frankfurt und ich" is a more than welcome change!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp