Controversial exhibition about refugees in the Ore Mountains removed

An exhibition on refugees living in the Erzgebirge in the Pirna district office was removed shortly after it was set up last week. Following complaints, the authority decided to stop the presentation before the opening. The photos and texts by migrants in the Ore Mountains were taken down from the walls in the foyer and a corridor after two and a half hours, and the vernissage planned for 25 September was cancelled.

District administration office justifies step with polarization

The presentation polarized people even in the first few hours after it was set up "and caused a heated atmosphere among the viewers present", according to a statement from the administration of the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district. "At no time" was positive feedback received "on the numerous negative statements made by those seeking protection in our country". "In this respect, we believe that the exhibition was not suitable for reducing prejudices, as communicated in advance, but rather for reinforcing them."

Statements such as "We are locked up like behind a wall", or in relation to the police "... only controlled because you are black ..." or "... I have no life in Germany" understandably caused "the displeasure and incomprehension of citizens and employees of the district office", according to the authority. For this reason, they exercised their domestic authority and ordered the immediate dismantling.

Integration commissioner regrets cancellation

The commissioner for integration and migration for the district of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains, Yvonne Böhme, regrets this. She had invited the traveling exhibition curated by committed people in Schwarzenberg. It was intended to help break down the prejudices that exist in the population towards refugees, inform and educate people about their concerns and fears and promote greater understanding and acceptance.

"I can understand the decision," said Böhme. But the reactions of visitors who grumbled about negative portrayals and ungratefulness were "completely contrary to the message that was supposed to come across". The 37 portraits and stories are intended to promote understanding for the sometimes difficult situation of refugees, whose start in Germany is not always easy. "I read the texts, I understood that too."

Unfortunately, this message was not received or was received in the complete opposite way. "People who are critical of asylum and integration read out that they come here, live at our expense, get everything and still complain about it," said Böhme. She and others had "never understood it that way".

Exhibition already in other places

The exhibition "It's not quiet in my head" was a contribution to Intercultural Week (September 14 to October 7) in the city. It provides an insight into the reality of life for 37 refugees and shows the problems they face in their efforts to find their feet in a foreign country. There have been no problems at previous presentations since July 2023, including in the Saxon state parliament. "It is the first incident of this kind; the process is outrageous," said Eva Howitz from the Schwarzenberg Refugee Support Group. The fact that a state authority has taken down pictures on the basis of complaints is a new dimension. "We are shocked by the procedure; it shows the social development in a shocking way."

The town of Pirna at the gateway to Saxon Switzerland has a mayor with close ties to the AfD, who recently made headlines by banning the rainbow flag from being hoisted at the town hall around Christopher Street Day, as in previous years. In addition to the right-wing image of the city and the region, there are also many committed people and networks who look after the refugees housed there, said Böhme. They, in particular, are not understanding the cancellation of the exhibition, which was also intended to encourage discussion. "Taking the path of least resistance does not go down well with people."