All of the speakers associate their own stories and experiences with their languages, whether they grew up in Dresden or moved here. 13 people tell us about this and have written down a proverb in their mother tongue for each of them.
Reports and thoughts on the numerous workshops, city tours and encounters complement the portraits and we have learnt a lot about the linguistic diversity in Dresden.
Would you like copies of the Dresden spricht… brochure in your organisation or district? Then contact us – at info@kulturaktiv.org or 0351 811 37 55 – and we will be happy to send you more brochures.
What does it sound like when you’re travelling in Dresden? It sounds different than it did twenty years ago. A colourful confusion of languages spreads out before our ears. People carry their accents and dialects around with them. If you ask people who have moved here – whether from other regions of Germany or from abroad – some of them smile about the initial communication difficulties in everyday life. For many new Dresdeners (or new Saxons), the little word ‘nu’ is the first stumbling block. This word doesn’t exist in Hamburg or in German lessons.
We want to start a conversation. There is a lot to tell. There is a lot to discover.
Dresden’s society has become more diverse. It is more complex, more creative, more changeable and more networked. Many life paths have been added. And different cultures influence each other. The proportion of the population with a migration background has risen continuously over the last six years. Almost 91,000 people with a migration background live in Dresden. Some only stay for a while, others build a new life here. Dresden has learnt and lives internationality and multilingualism.
Language is a tool of power. Someone who is eloquent achieves goals faster than someone who is unfamiliar with the language. Opinion-forming, planning and decision-making processes in urban society are often influenced by the communicative skills of those (not) involved. Take, for example, the language used by public authorities. Letters and texts as “Bohemian villages” that are difficult to understand even for native speakers.
In public and private discourse, terms are increasingly being used that polarise and aim to exclude or marginalise social groups. We read, hear and speak such words, phrases and idioms on a daily basis. Ideologically charged terms are becoming part of everyday vocabulary, the tone is becoming harsher and language is losing its true potential to connect people through communication.
What headlines and messages are likely to appear on posters this year? And who will understand them, answer them or contradict them?
Language is an important part of everyday interaction and social negotiation processes. Words can connect. Conversations and listening are necessary for understanding and communication. That’s why we want to start a dialogue with you.
What can I do? Our events
Writing workshop “Mosaic of languages”
Everyone knows idioms and proverbs, regardless of their origin. These short phrases are a cultural asset that has often been passed down through many generations. They show how many similarities different cultures have and can teach us a lot about the lives of others.
What connects us more than shared experiences, for example at a street festival, in the neighbourhood café or in the cultural club around the corner?
We cordially invite you to take a seat at our table and take part in the “mosaic of languages”. Put these small word pictures together to form a large mosaic. The word pictures can be written or illustrated. See you at the Westhangfest or the “Puzzle” autumn festival in Gorbitz, the Böhnischgarten festival in Johannstadt, at “Dresden is(s)t bunt” on Augustusbrücke, at the Monday café, at the Neustädter Frühling on Hauptstraße in Neustadt and many other places!
Printing workshop “Your poster – your message”
Against each other – next to each other – with each other – for each other? What kind of world do you want to live in? Everywhere we look, we see messages on posters, billboards and banners vying for people’s favour – and not just during election campaigns.
Why not develop your own message yourself?
In this workshop, we want to use art to express our own personal vision for shaping society. We want to share experiences: in different phases of life, in different places and in different societies. What have you experienced? Where do you see yourself today and where do you see yourself in the future?
Each participant can design an individual poster, develop their own language or image message and have it screen-printed.
Workshop “ZINE design”
“Talking to yourself” Designing a linguistic-biographical zine
Everyone knows anecdotes about language. Stories about puns, embarrassing misunderstandings and funny slips of the tongue. We also remember our language lessons. Difficult phrases stick in the memory.
Illustrator and workshop leader Rosa Brockelt will show you how to creatively turn stories and experiences into zines. The end result is a personalised booklet or notebook made up of texts, pictures and drawings.
What are zines?
Small, self-published booklets, usually cut or folded from a single sheet of paper, which can be designed and reproduced with little effort. They can be designed in different ways. It is a versatile medium for expressing oneself visually and in writing.
Tours to inclusive places
The tours and excursions lead to places where language plays an important role in conveying information and knowledge. Experts explain the challenges of communicating in an integrative and inclusive way, where this is already successful and where obstacles to communication and understanding repeatedly arise in everyday public spaces.
A celebration at the end
Our final party takes place at the end of the year. There we unveil our “Mosaic of Languages” picture and exhibit the posters and zines we have created. The party is a big thank you to all participants and volunteers. We look forward to exchanging ideas, feedback and new ideas.
Where to go with your own ideas?
Get active now!
We support people with migration experience in realising their own ideas and needs. We help you with the conception and organisation of various meeting formats that deal with the topics of language and understanding.
All volunteers can familiarise themselves with volunteering and working in a cultural association and try things out in an uncomplicated way. In this way, you can become active in civil society and build on your experience.
If you are interested, please contact us directly!
The project is funded by the State Ministry for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion. This measure is co-financed with tax funds on the basis of the budget passed by the Saxon state parliament within the framework of the state programme Integrative Maßnahmen.
