In 3 photos and a short story per person, I will let you participate in the emotional world of the humans who would potentially be affected by the "Remigration". Together we shed light on their story and look at:
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What does "being German" or "living in Germany" mean to you? What is your interpretation of the "German way of life"?
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How did you feel when you found out about the "Remigration" plans and what does it do to you when you think about it today?
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What will be left behind if your "Remigration" really happens?
"Die zu Vertreibenden" is a photographic documentary project that sheds light on the topic of an organised "Remigration" of people living in Germany from the perspective of the ones potentially affected by it.
The title of the project is German for "The ones to be driven out" and it is based on the reporting of the magazine "Correctiv", which in January 2024 revealed plans by a group of people who decided to initiate an extensive "Remigration" of people with a history of migration from Germany - including German citizens.
In "Die zu Vertreibenden", I therefore portrait potentially affected humans with their individual stories and feelings, instead of looking at them as a large anonymous group that by coincidence shares the same fate.
My aim is for us all to better understand and comprehend what the feeling of being affected by "Remigration" does to people and what a vacuum each and every one of them leaves behind in our lives and society if this incomprehensibly cruel action were to be put into practice.
“Die zu Vertreibenden" is about people living in Germany who would be directly affected by the "Remigration" plans. Age, gender, origin, religion or other factors are irrelevant. Particularly people with the following residency statuses would be affected:
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People with German citizenship and a history of migration
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People with dual citizenship (German + X)
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People with a German residence permit
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People in the process of applying for citizenship
If you are amongst one of these groups, than I would be honored to tell your story to make our fellow citizens aware. If you don't see yourself here, but still want to take part, I'd be happy if you filled out the questionnaire. Maybe we can still realize your story together or work together in another way.
REMIGRATION
[1] Reintegration into the home country after voluntary return there
[2] euphemistic, usually a fighting term used by right-wing extremist groups and parties: Forced expulsion / mass deportation of people with a history of migration
For me, the word "Remigration" stands for an increasing division in our society like no other term. It's a development that worries me and really scares me for the future of our country. And if we as a society don't act now to understand the consequences of such actions, I imagine a dark future in a country where many of us no longer want to or can live in.
In November 2023, the magazine "Correktiv" reported on a secret meeting at which AFD politicians, neo-Nazis and entrepreneurs agreed on a plan to initiate extensive "Remigration" of people with a history of migration – including legal German citizens.
This plan and the ever-growing right-wing nationalist tendencies, which are reflected in daily discrimination, horrific acts of violence, disturbing election results and youth groups chanting vile slogans all over Germany, made me feel helpless for a long time.
I believe that recalibrating our thinking can only happen if we empathise with each other, understand each other and break down barriers - instead of creating more and more of them.
If we understand who the people are who are to be driven from their homes. If we understand what it does to them and how it affects their lives. Understand what a hole such a decision tears in tears in our lives and entire society.
If we see all of this, feel empathy, understand, stand up for each other and remember our humanity, then I firmly believe that together as a society we are stronger than blind hatred – and together we can create a future and the country worth living in for us all.
Our modern Germany thrives on the diversity of its inhabitants, regardless of their origin.
People who live together here peacefully have over decades built a country that is the envy of many in the world. And that is precisely why "Remigration" concerns us all.
With more than 20 million Germans with a history of migration, every one of us knows people who would be directly affected by this project.
At the same time, the extent and the effects are not really tangible for most of us, precisely because of this large number. The many individual fates somehow blur into a barely comprehensible mass.
I want to do my part and use my camera to speak up and, together with you, tell your individual story in photos and text and share it with as many people in Germany as possible, both digitally and hopefully offline.
I believe that by doing so, we can help all of us to reflect on our humanity and initiate a process of rethinking and, above all, acting differently throughout society.
Together.
For all of us.
Thank you for your courage to share your story and your feelings with me and many other people all over Germany and the world.
Let's set an example for humanity together.
Let's create an understanding for each other in order to live peacefully, respectfully and without prejudice in a country that remains a safe home for us all.
I often asked myself: What can I do about it as an individual?
Does demonstrating really have any effect on those who think up such things? Yes, what was discussed there is inhumane and against our constitution – but do these people actually even care?
What is the point of political discussions, punishments or bans? They are important, but at the moment they seem to be of little or no help in preventing or changing the ideas and reasons for such behavior.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
EMPATHY CAN BREAK DOWN BARRIERS OF UNDERSTANDING
MORE THAN 20 MILLION PEOPLE COULD BE AFFECTED
I WANT TO DO MY PART AND TELL YOUR STORY
YOUR COURAGE SETS AN EXAMPLE
A PLAN TO DEPORT GERMAN CITIZENS
WHY THE TIME TO ACT IS RIGHT NOW
To get started, fill out the "Getting-to-know-you" questionnaire below.
In order for me to tell your story together with you, it is important that I can really get to know you.
To do this, first fill out this questionnaire here.
We will meet in person to get to know each other and discuss the details of your story and photos.
As soon as I have received your questionnaire, I will contact you directly so that we can get to know each other personally. Relaxed over a coffee or however it suits you best.
This project deals with a very sensitive and emotional topic and it is important to me that you feel comfortable with me and can trust me before we start working together.
We therefore find out where, how and when we can best translate your story and feelings into images. The best photos are created when we trust each other. That's why getting to know each other is also a good opportunity to discuss any questions or doubts you may have.
We shoot and write your story.
In the next step, we will meet again and realize your photos. I can do this unobtrusively in your everyday life or, if necessary, in a studio. We'll see what works best for you and your story. Based on our meeting and your questionnaire inputs, I will also write an emotional story to accompany the images.
This results in three photos to underline your story:
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A documentary shot of you in your interpretation of "being German" or your "German way of life".
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An emotional black and white close-up portrait in which we capture your emotions in connection with "Remigation"
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An image that displays what a hole would be left for your fellow human beings and Germany if your "Remigration" were to become a reality.
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I'll take care of the finishing touches and you provide your final OK.
As soon as the pictures and your story are ready, I select them, edit them and send them to you for a final check.
Very important: no picture or story sees the light of day without your final OK and consent.
We will first publish the images digitally and hopefully at some point also in a book, an exhibition or other publications.
As soon as everything is ready, the pictures go live on both the Instagram channel and the website. Of course, you will also receive the photos in the best quality for your own personal use.
In the long term, it would of course be nice if many of the participant stories could be turned into an exhibition or a book. But one thing at a time – we'll see how the project develops and then decide.
Now you're probably wondering how such a project will be implemented and what is going to happen in its process. No problem, you've come to the right place for more information.
In a nutshell: In 5 steps we get from here to your finished, published photos and story.
This is how it works. Simply click each step to learn more.
5 SIMPLE STEPS
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
I am Fabian, a documentary photographer from Berlin.
As a child of citizens of the former GDR, I grew up with values from two totally different worlds and was able to absorb the best of both – yet was always able to keep a critical eye.
Later, on many trips to countless regions of our planet, I learned to see and appreciate a lot - and was always happy to return home. To a country where so many things are not perfect, but still work better than anywhere else on earth. We have so many things here that people around the world envy us for.
In my photography, I have always tried to combine my empathic nature with my curiosity for the non-obvious to capture authentic moments. I now want to use this drive to give a voice to people for whom it is otherwise difficult or impossible to make their own voices heard.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
When I first heard about the "Remigration" plan from the "Correctiv" report in January, the topic absolutely shocked me. Not only at that moment, but also in the weeks that followed, when I had to personally experience what it did to potentially affected people in my closest environment.
Knowing what this plan could mean, left me feeling helpless
Back when I was at school, I had already studied the National Socialist era and the years leading up to the seizure of power curiously and in great dephts. The parallels that are now becoming increasingly apparent in many areas of our society - whether overtly or subtly - give me a lot to think about and concern me greatly.
I have often felt helpless and asked myself what I can do as an individual. I think it's good and right that people are demonstrating and that politicians and the judiciary are trying to control these movements through laws and judgments. However, my feeling is that the effect is not being felt by the people who want to place such an issue in our country and they tend not to care or even play into their hands. My feeling is that they just feel vindicated by it.
No more finger pointing and blame – let's appeal to the feelings that connect and touch us all!
In my eyes, a counterbalance can only be created if each of us can put ourselves in the shoes of those affected and understand what the implementation of this project actually means for us and our daily lives.
With "Die zu Vertreibenden", I would therefore like to try a different approach than pointing fingers, finger-pointing and punishments. By conveying feelings that we are all familiar with, I hope to awaken the empathy, humanity and compassion that we all carry within us and perhaps bring about a change in thinking.
People in our country are used to being able to think freely and decide what they want to do and what they would rather not do. You can't force them to think or do anything - in my opinion, this often has the rather opposite effect. At the same time, however, this privilege also means standing up for it and taking action to defend it.
A proactive and empathetic discourse instead of stigmatisation and polemics
That's why I take a position and stand up for it, but I don't want to denigrate, point fingers or stigmatize anyone for their opinion. Fortunately, we live in a country of diverse opinions, in which the discourse of different points of view is one of the highest and most protected goods. For this reason, I want to engage people and invite them to engage in proactive discourse, not stigmatize and punish anyone.
My ultimate goal is to bring us all closer together again as people living in Germany
Since we all know people who are potentially affected, I hope to create a dynamic of humanity that integrates organically into our thoughts and actions. Perhaps this will enable us to redirect current trends and work together as a country and as citizens to create a home worth living in for everyone here. For me, that would be the greatest long-term goal of "Die zu Vertreibenden".
Will we achieve it? I don't know, but in conversations with my future children and grandchildren, I don't want to have to say that I saw it coming with open eyes – yet still remained silent and did nothing.
WHAT MOTIVATED ME TO START THIS PROJECT
IT'S TIME TO SHARE YOUR STORY
Thank you for wanting to take part in this extraordinarily important project and sharing your story with our fellow human beings.
By filling out the questionnaire, you will help me to get to know you better and get a feel for how we can realize your story.
Your personal data will of course remain confidential. Some of them will only be published with your story, if you specifically agree. If not, your images and story will be published anonymously. You can read more about it here in the FAQs.
"Die zu Vertreibenden" is a documentary photography project that sheds light on the topic of "Remigration" from the perspective of people potentially affected by it.
In "Die zu Vertreibenden" I portray affected people with their individual stories and feelings, instead of viewing them as a nameless group sharing the same fate. My aim is for us all to better understand and comprehend what the feeling of being affected by "Remigration" does to people and what a vacuum each and every one of them leaves behind in our society if this unimaginably cruel plan were to be put into practice.
For me, the word "Remigration" stands for an increasing division in our society like no other term. It's a development that worries me and really scares me for the future of our country. And if we as a society don't act now to understand the consequences of such actions, I look forward to a dark future in a country where many of us no longer want to or can live in.
I would like to do my bit to prevent this from happening. I always try to look beneath the surface in my photos. And I want to do the same here. To capture your voice with my camera, to tell your individual story together with you in photos and text and thus appeal to human emotions. I believe that by doing so, we can help us all to reflect on our humanity and initiate a process of rethinking and, above all, acting differently throughout society if we learn to see and understand each other better.
“Die zu Vertreibenden" is about people living in Germany who would be directly affected by the "Remigration" plans. Age, gender, origin or other factors are irrelevant. However, you should fulfill one of the following criteria in order to do justice to the topic in the best possible way:
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People with German citizenship and a history of migration
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People with dual nationality (German + X)
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People with a long-term residence permit in Germany
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People who are in the process of applying for citizenship
If you don't see yourself here, but still want to take part, I'd still be happy if you filled out the questionnaire. Maybe we can still realize your story together or work together.
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In 5 steps we get from here to your finished, published images. This is how it works.
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You fill out the introductory questionnaire.
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We will meet in person to get to know each other and discuss the details of your story and photos.
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We shoot and write your story.
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I'll take care of the finishing touches and you give me your final OK.
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We will first publish the images digitally and hopefully also offline at some point in a book, an exhibition or other publications.
You can also find the whole process in detail here.
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It's very simple.
You simply fill out the introductory questionnaire and belong to one of the following groups:
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People with German citizenship and a history of migration
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People with dual nationality (German + X)
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People with a long-term residence permit in Germany
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People who are in the process of applying for citizenship
Make sure that you don’t have or share thoughts of any form of hatred, violence, political radicalism, racism, anti-Semitism, other forms of inhumane behavior or criminality.
Pretty simple, right?
If after the project it should become evident, that you share such thoughts or actions, your photo and story will immediately be removed from the project.
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Since "Die zu Vertreibenden" is about people living in Germany who would be directly affected by the "Remigration” plans, I focus on photographing them. Age, gender, origin or anything else is irrelevant. So if you find yourself in one of these groups, please fill out the questionnaire.
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People with German citizenship and a history of migration
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People with dual nationality (German + X)
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People with a long-term residence permit in Germany
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People who are in the process of applying for citizenship
Make sure that you don’t have or share thoughts of any form of hatred, violence, political radicalism, racism, anti-Semitism, other forms of inhumane behavior or criminality.
Pretty simple, right?
If after the project it should become evident, that you share such thoughts or actions, your photo and story will immediately be removed from the project.
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One thing is particularly important to me:
This project should help to bring us all closer together again. That's why I won't work with people who don't support it's fundamental idea.
For me, this means that I will not provide a platform for any form of hatred, violence, political radicalism, racism, anti-Semitism, other forms of inhumane behavior or criminality. So if you have or share such thoughts, then this is not the right project for you.
Pretty simple, right?
If after the project it should become evident, that you share such thoughts or actions, your photo and story will immediately be removed from the project.
- Error: empty slot
In the introductory questionnaire you will find all the information I need from you to tell your story. They are always marked with an asterisk. These information will be used to develop the idea for your photos as well as your written story.
The following are absolutely essential:
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eMail
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Place of residence
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Place of birth
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Your residence status (citizen, residence permit, etc.)
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Your story
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What "Germany", "being German" or your "German way of life" means to them
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How you felt when you heard about "remigration" for the first time
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What you wish for the future of coexistence in Germany
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Why you want to take part in this project
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Consent to the use of your images and data
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I can't say yet. I haven't set an end date.
Before the photos are taken, you will receive a declaration of consent, which you must sign. This declaration covers the use, publication and distribution of the images. This model release is a contract that states your consent to the use of your images and story by me (the photographer) and the conditions of this use. This protects your rights as well as mine.
As the photographer, I hold the copyright to the photos, while you are always clearly informed about how your images will be used. It will be made transparent that the images will be published as part of the project and possibly used for exhibitions, publications and online presences.
No, I want to carry out this project without being politically or commercially dependent. I am therefore not receiving any funding to carry out the project.
If there are sponsors at any time, they will also be explicitly mentioned here.
The current plan is to share the pictures and your story via social media. They will also be published here on the website. You will receive both the photos and the story in the highest quality for you to use.
If it turns out over time that there is a lot of enthusiasm for the project, I will also think about a photo book as well as an exhibition.
If other publications take up the photos and stories, they could also be published there.
In any case, you would always be contacted first before any publication.
Depending on how many people sign up for the project, it may of course take a while before we can meet in person. However, I will always try to get back to you as soon as possible after receiving your questionnaire.
Depending on the complexity of your story, location and photo shoots, the entire process can take several weeks from getting to know you until completion. However, you will be regularly informed about the progress.
That's a great question.
The most important thing is, of course, that you are enthusiastic about the project and share the idea with people in your environment, via social media or simply offline, so that we can spread the message as far as possible and get even more people to participate.
If you are interested in supporting in any operational capacity, please feel free to contact me directly via eMail or via my Contact Form.
Of course, I am also happy to receive donations so that I can be active throughout Germany. I will provide more information on this in the near future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You might have some questions for me and I'm happy to answer the ones I get asked the most right here.
If you find one question not answered, please don't hesitate to contact me directly!
FAQ
FAQ
I'm sure you might have some important questions to ask me. Find a selection of the most asked ones right here.
UNDERSTAND
THE TOPIC
UNDERSTAND
THE TOPIC
Read here more about what forced "Remigration" is. I collected input from various credible sources, that might help to better understand the topic, it's complexity and magnitude.
MY
MOTIVATION
MY MOTIVATION
If you are curious who I am and what motivated me to take on this project, you can find all about me, my rationale and reasons here.
WHY
NOW
WHY NOW
Understand why now is the right time to stand and speak up about forced "Remigration". Read here about the magnitude of this idea, proposed in last November.
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
Find our here, how you can become part of this important documentary photography project and how the process of creating your photos and story looks like.
Podcast Language
PODCASTS
Video language
Video language
Video language
VIDEOS
ARTICLES
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS COMPLEX TOPIC
The topic of "remigration" is very complex and in many places not always easy to understand. That's why I've collected articles, videos and podcasts on the subject from a wide variety of sources to help you better understand exactly what it's all about and what the core of the problem is.
Even though I have tried to present as many different opinions as possible, I cannot guarantee that I have covered the topic in full. I would therefore encourage you to do your own research and form your own opinion. This is the only way to create a good discourse on the topic.
