There are borders
Exhibition
until October 26
In 2016, LEGIDA grew in size and changed relations between people in Leipzig. The media was dominated by dehumanizing, linguistic images of migrants. We wanted to counter this and founded unofficial.pictures. With our work, we create space to tell different, personal perspectives of people, strengthen empathy and build understanding among each other.
A lot has happened since then, more diverse voices have become audible, migrant people have fought for space and created their own media platforms.
In recent years, we have observed a backlash in many parts of society: Populist opinion-making and right-wing extremist forces are on the rise again - the tone among people has become harsher and more hardened.
We want to respond with diversity and dialogue. To mark the opening of our new space, we are showing projects from the last few years with diverse perspectives on migration, arrival and belonging. Together with you, we want to think ahead, listen and exchange ideas - for a society of solidarity with free people!
Welcome to our new premises at Ernst-Mey-Str. 7a, Leipzig-Plagwitz!
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., weekends and holidays by appointment.
Past events
June 5, 6:00 p.m.: Opening with dinner, speeches, and DJ
June 7, 7:30 p.m.: Update on “KEINE RUHE” and the current situation at the Belarus-Poland border
‘KEINE RUHE’ (NO PEACE) is our photo-text newspaper from spring 2022, in which we have collected stories and pictures of people who have survived the dangerous migration route via Belarus and Poland – and who still cannot find peace today. Their voices reveal what is happening at Europe's external borders.
The EU's eastern border has almost disappeared from the news and only appears sporadically. Yet its effects are even more brutal: more isolation, more violence, more invisibility. On 7 June at 7:30 p.m., we took a look at the current situation. Activists from Poland reported on their experiences and the fight against repression.
We also presented our newspaper ‘KEINE RUHE’ (No Peace).
8 June, 7:30 p.m.: Zine presentation ‘A look over our shoulder, insight into our perspective’ followed by discussion
Text by the creators of the zine:
We are left-wing young people who grew up in the right-wing conservative small town of Taucha in northern Saxony. It's only fifteen minutes by train from Leipzig Central Station. And yet the reality there is different. Feeling somehow different, not wanting to stand out, being vigilant on the way home, being afraid. In the zine ‘Ein Blick über die Schulter – Einblick in unsere Perspektive’ (A look over the shoulder – insight into our perspective), we talk about our experiences."
9 June, 7:30 p.m. Lecture and discussion on the photographic work ‘Komplex : Heimat’ (Complex: Homeland)
In his photographic work ‘Komplex:Heimat’ (Complex: Homeland), Frieder has been exploring the constructed nature of homeland since 2018, using Saxony as an example and addressing current events, striking locations and historical occurrences.
Following exhibitions at Hoyerswerda Castle and City Museum and at the f/stop Festival in Leipzig, Frieder was able to launch a small series of lectures with the project throughout Saxony last year. After stops in Annaberg-Buchholz, Freiberg and Aue-Bad Schlema, he now wanted to show the work in our own space and start a conversation about it. Frieder used his photographs to talk about the different places and engaged in critical discussions with guests about Saxony and the meaning of home.
