2011 – Minorities & Culture

Migrants, immigrants and minorities – which chances do they really have within the cultural industry? With the help of journalist Peter Grabowski 2010LAB provided a first impulse but the numerous contributions from our European partner cities such as London, Rotterdam, Istanbul and Barcelona show: the debate is current.

Ruhr

Who does (not) play a role? Read Peter Grabowskis series on immigrants in the cultural industry:

Part 1 // Part 2  // Part 3  // Part 4

Germany's society needs new forms of intercultural communication says artist Mischa Kuball about the topicality of "new pott"

Rotterdam

Rotterdam celebrates a century of Chinese immigration. 2010LAB author Jeroen Veenstra takes a closer look.

The rising comedy star Salaheddine wants the Dutch to get acquainted with Morrocan humour. Watch the video and read the interview here.

“In Rotterdam, the multicultural theatergroup Siberia has been making progress for the last three years in combining audience, theater styles, conventions and ethnicity among its players.” Read Elfie Tromps interview with actor Erik van Welzen.

Barcelona

During the 60’s almost a million Andalusians moved to Catalonia in search of a better life. Elena Vilanova looks back in history and tells us how this event inspired artists as well.

Still an issue: A Catalan film was selected to represent Spain in the next Oscar ceremony. 2010LAB author Pepe Alamar about the backstory.

In another article Elena Vilanova found out, that the financial crisis has caused a decline in immigration in the Catalan capital.

Istanbul

“I hereby refuse to address the topic if migration/immigration/minorities” said our author Anne Weshinskey. But then she changed her mind and now tells us the story of Jeffrey Baykal-Rollins navigating Istanbul.

Anne is part of the artist space, Caravansarai – a creative production space and meeting point: “Adding to the gentrification pedigree – we are also foreigners.” She’s presenting the idea of Passing Patterns of Perşembe Pazarı, a tribute and a nod to the transitional nature of the area.

London

Read Callum Lee’s report about the disparity in the UK’s film production industry: If you are black you earn 25% less, on average, than a white employee doing an equivalent job.

Vanessa Branson is the president of the Marrakech Biennale, which she launched in 2005. It is the first trilingual (English, Arabic & French) festival in North Africa and focuses on cutting-edge contemporary visual art, literature and film. Swantje Diepenhorst spoke with her about Maroccean culture issues.

Ridley Road is one of the most visited, vibrant and popular of London’s traditional markets whose lively atmosphere and colourful produce reflect an eventful history charting the changing face of multiculturalism in East London. But time’s they are changing, says author Erica Scourti: “What happens to the immigrant communities, and their culture, who gave the area its character, after regeneration kicks in?”