African Migrants in Istanbul

The purpose of our project, titled “Portraits of African Migrants Living in Istanbul,” is to increase the visibility in society of African migrants who live in Istanbul and let their voices be heard. With this project, we aim to demolish the negative stereotypes regarding African migrants; demonstrate that they are more than “the migrants who sell watches on the street;” illustrate the various positive contributions they provide to the societies to which they migrate; and for all of us to learn more about the African migrants with whom we live side by side.

With the book produced within the scope of this project that contains photographic portraits and life stories of the African migrants, we treat topics such as the problems, discrimination, racism, and methods of integration and living together encountered during processes of irregular migration; and the situation of statelessness experienced by migrants who came to Turkey with the hopes of transitioning to Europe, but were unable to do so.

Despite the fact that we have been living side by side with African migrants for a long time, they remain invisible for the majority of society. These migrants are viewed by a large part of society as itinerant watch sellers, criminals and thieves and have become synonymous with drug dealers and human traffickers. In reality, however, African migrants, by bringing with them their cultural heritage and working in a variety of different sectors, contribute significantly to their new society’s economy, as well as to the processes of building a diverse society. For this reason, we believe it is important to portray excerpts from their daily lives, voice their problems and spread awareness on the discrimination and racism that they face.

 

Supporters:

DVV International

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

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