Strasbourg: the twelve faces of multiculturalism (12 images)
Published on
Story by
David Tett
The name of the French town, one of the capitals of the EU, originates from the latin 'strate burgum', literally 'town of the roads'. Nowadays, Strasbourg is 'the carrefour of Europe', as promoted by EU advertising. Do the immigrants in Strasbourg agree with this attractive image of their city? In this series of 12 pictures, British photographer David Tett presents the everyday environment of some EU immigrants in Strasbourg. Sergiu, Dilara, Andra, Argas, Alexandre, Evangelos and Didier represent diverse cultures and age groups, and the colours used in each image reflect their different paths of life. Despite many positive comments, the consensus among several of the respondents is that plenty still needs to be done
This image gallery is part of the eighth edition in cafebabel.com’s 2012 feature focus series on multiculturalism in Europe - thanks to our local hosts, cafebabel Strasbourg, who you can find on facebook
'There are a lot of nationalities living here in Strasbourg. However the question of integration depends on a real knowledge of different cultures. We need understanding and appropriate ways to encourage solidarity among peoples' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'Cultural integration is never a given. Here in Strasbourg we have to fight for equality of rights between French people and foreigners. Everybody has to approach the issue in an open and honest way' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
Andrea is the secretary of the union of foreign students in Strasbourg ('union des etudiants etrangers a Strasbourg'. UDEES). 'Even if in Strasbourg people are more open to other cultures than elsewhere, there is still progress to be made in this direction, especially for certain communities or cultures that are misunderstood and therefore fear continues to exist towards them.' Andrea thinks that 'with real knowledge of a culture comes understanding and appropriate ways to help or integrate that culture into the French one.' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'It is debatable how fully integrated diverse cultures are in Strasbourg. However the university, the council of Europe, the artistic milieus and festivals all help contribute towards unity among different people' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'The integration of nationalities works both ways. Few people realise this. People living here have to give up their predjudices before anything can be achieved' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'I have never felt like a foreigner here. When I arrived Strasbourg immediately became my city, my life. You can be as integrated as you like here, it is a friendly city' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
After living in Strasbourg for 25 years, Evangelos can see 'a certain evolution towards integration here in Strasbourg. The cafe culture reflects this, the exchange of culture and languages can be seen on every street corner, on the terraces. The whole world is present here in Strasbourg' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
Didier has lived in Strasbourg for six years, and Lindzy for 11 years. 'Strasbourg is like one big village. Everybody can live according to their own ryhthm. The Alsatians can seem reserved on the outside but their friendship is lasting' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'There is a huge amount of diversity here in Strasbourg, and multiculturalism has a lot to offer for everybody' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com))
'I feel good about the multicultural vibe here in Strasbourg; we learn a lot from other people, an exchange of ideas which one cannot take for granted' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
Jesus has been here for only four months. 'Strasbourg is one of the capitals of the EU, the real multicultural centre of Europe. In many ways it is a crossroads, 'Le Carrefour de L'Europe' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
'It is easy to feel integrated here in Strasbourg because there are lots of friendly and supportive people who enjoy communicating with foreigners' (Image: © David Tett for 'Multikulti' aka 'multiculturalism on the ground Strasbourg' by cafebabel.com, July 2012/ davidtett.com)
This image gallery is part of the eighth edition in cafebabel.com’s 2012 feature focus series on multiculturalism in Europe. Thanks to our local hosts, cafebabel Strasbourg, who you can find on facebook