Together with several alumni from the Ruhr region, we ventured out to the Ruhr Museum at Zeche Zollverein for a special visit of its exhibition program.

Mercator Alumni Meet-Up Ruhr | 20.08.2021

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the recruitment agreement between Bonn and Ankara, the Ruhr Museum at Zollverein is showing the 120 most impressive pictures by the renowned Turkish photographer Ergun Çağatay. It is the most comprehensive reportage on the Turkish immigration of the first and second generation of the so-called guest workers from 1990. We took this current special exhibition as an opportunity to gather at a regional alumni meeting again after a long time - under strict compliance with 3G COVID19 rules.


Our group was given the exclusive opportunity to visit the exhibition shortly before the museum closed, together with the curators Stefanie Grebe and Meltem Kücükyilmaz, and to learn details about the genesis and significance of the photographs as well as the compilation for the local exhibition. The in-depth discussions with the exhibitor team, but especially the individual connection of many participating alumni with the exhibition theme and the sharing of their personal (family) experiences enriched the joint exhibition visit enormously.

The final event was the joint dinner at MezzoMezzo at Zollverein, where we were able to informally exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere and still discuss one or two thoughts and impulses from the exhibition.  Furthermore, the wish was expressed to organize another meeting soon, as long as the external circumstances allow it, gladly also with the involvement of alumni in the Rhineland area. Ideas and initiators for the next Mercator Alumni Meetup Rhine(&Ruhr) are therefore very welcome!


We would like to thank Ms. Grebe and Ms. Kücükyilmaz for the vivid and informative guided tour and the stimulating conversations at the Ruhr Museum.


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