GERMANY / REFUGEE MUSEUM GUIDE

A group of refugees from Iraq and Syria are working as Arabic-speaking guides, introducing fellow newcomers to the cultural riches hidden in Berlin’s state museums. The project called Multaka - which means “meeting point” in Arabic - is designed to give refugees and new comers access to the city’s museums and help them integrate into society. UNHCR-UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 29 June 2016
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: CULTURAL HERITAGE; MUSEUMS; REFUGEES
• Geographic Subject: GERMANY; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 1659896
• Parent Id: 1659896
• Alternate Title: unifeed160629f

Description

STORY: GERMANY / REFUGEE MUSEUM GUIDE
TRT: 2:39
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 14 JUNE 2016, BERLIN, GERMANY

Shotlist

14 JUNE 2016, BERLIN, GERMANY

1. Wide shot, Pergamon Museum
2. Wide shot, Keefah walking through columns
3. Close up, Keefah
4. Wide shot, large sculpture
5. Close up, Keefah
6. Wide shot, Keefah explaining sculpture to visitors
7. Med shot, visitors
8. Wide shot, Keefah explaining sculpture to visitors
9. Close up, sculpture
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“At least these objects here are safe. The war will not destroy it and all people from around the world can come and know more about our heritage and our history.”
11. Med shot, Keefah talking to visitors in front of model city
12. Close up, woman
13. Close up, man
14. Close up, model city
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“You can touch this feeling from them, that how much they miss their home and how much it is important for them to see these objects.”
16. Tilt down, Miletus market gate
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“This country didn't just open camps for them, they opened museums. So I feel like all countries who have refugees or new coming people should do the same. Its help, really help; help for new coming people and help for the new society.”
18. Med shot, Keefah explaining artifacts to visitors
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“Germans have a very amazing experience, because they just rebuilt this country after the war, and this country was destroyed. This city, Berlin, was just on the ground and look how Berlin is now, so it gives me hope that of course we can rebuild our country after the war.”
20. Tracking, Keefah walking with group
21. Med shot, Keefah talking to group
22. Med shot, group walking behind glass
23. Med shot, circling Keefah and group talking

Storyline

A group of refugees from Iraq and Syria are working as Arabic-speaking guides, introducing fellow newcomers to the cultural riches hidden in Berlin’s state museums. The project called Multaka - which means “meeting point” in Arabic - is designed to give refugees and new comers access to the city’s museums and help them integrate into society.

Keefah Ali Deeb is a Syrian artist and writer who came to Berlin less than two years ago. She walked around the city’s museum island but never had the courage to walk into the buildings. She was simply not sure if she was allowed in. So when she was introduced to the project, Keefah pounced on the idea to help.
Keefah said the war in her country destroyed her heritage and history, but still she was grateful that these artefacts could attest to the regions colourful history.

SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“At least these objects here are safe. The war will not destroy it and all people from around the world can come and know more about our heritage and our history.”

Keefah said many of the people she meets during the guides are saddened or even angry when they see these pieces. Many feel that they belong in their countries, however, she said it brings them confidence to see their cultural heritage in their new home.

SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“You can touch this feeling from them, that how much they miss their home and how much it is important for them to see these objects.”

Keefah said if refugees aren’t confident they will never be able to integrate fully into their host communities.

SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“This country didn't just open camps for them, they opened museums. So I feel like all countries who have refugees or new coming people should do the same. Its help, really help; help for new coming people and help for the new society.”

Keefah is one of 19 Syrian and Iraqi guides in the Multaka project. She said it was very important for refugees like her to meet and talk about their home countries and experiences in Germany. She said the German experience has given her hope for a better future in Syria.

SOUNDBITE (English) Keefah Ali Deeb, Syrian artist:
“Germans have a very amazing experience, because they just rebuilt this country after the war, and this country was destroyed. This city, Berlin, was just on the ground and look how Berlin is now, so it gives me hope that of course we can rebuild our country after the war.”