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[ 29. May 2016 ]

Naija Akatarians*: Nigerian Migrants in Vienna since the 1960s.

Petja Dimitorva „Welcome to Vienna 1960s“

*Akatarians is pidgin English for Nigerians in the diaspora
Exhibition: 14.-23.06. 2016 in Kings Barbing Salon, Wimbergergasse 8, 1070 Vienna
Do You Still Remember Marcus Omofuma? 11.06., Verein OPOPAO
Nigerians in Vienna: Perspectives from Different Generations 23.06.2016 im Wienmuseum

 

An exhibition about the lives, experiences, dreams, achievements and struggles of Nigerian migrants in Vienna. By using documents, interviews, personal objects, pictures and drawings, the exhibition displays the challenges and matter of relevance for Nigerians who came to live in Austria. What were their struggles and dreams for pursuing a life here?
The recent history of Nigerian migration (the largest group of sub-Saharan Africans in Austria) began in the late 1950s. From the Cold War era, people took the opportunity to travel abroad as the result of bilateral agreements for studying, working, pursuing civil education or Christian missions. Subsequently, people built solidarity community networks, intercultural friendship, businesses, socio-cultural initiatives, etc.
Nigerian immigrants desire/strive for a future different than the military regimes, economic sanctions, debt, austerity policies, corruption, poverty and lawlessness that they face back home. They came to Europe via legal or illegal routes, and their testimonies show how the European visa regime, ministries, embassies and gray areas of EU migration policies are entangled within it.
The project exhibition aims to stimulate questions on collecting, archiving and representation of Nigerians' own migration histories. It should also serve as a contribution to building an archive of migration in the Wien Museum.


Exhibition:
Tue. June 14th to Sat. June 25th, 2016. Opening hours: 11 AM – 6 PM (except Sun. June 19th).
Opening: Mon. June 13th, 2016 at 7 PM in Kings Barbing Salon, Wimbergergasse 8, 1070 Vienna.
For info and reservations: afromigration (at) gmx.at

Do You Still Remember Marcus Omofuma?
June 11th 2016, at 7 PM prompt
Venue: Verein OPOPAO, Rembrandtstrasse 41, 1020 Wien

From the early morning of Thursday May 27th 1999 through the year 2000 in what is known today as the “biggest fight against organized drug trafficking” in Austria which was called “Operation Spring”, about 850 Austrian police, targeted and arrested more than 127 African migrants who were mostly Nigerians in a militarized large scale action. A few of them were soon release, others were accused, convicted and sentenced with the ruling of having sold and unknown amount of drugs to an unknown person in an unknown place and time in one of the largest judicial procedures in post-war history of Austria.
The research group “Naija Akatarians” in cooperation with the organization “OPOPAO” and “JEF for Africa” invites you to the Operation Spring film screening and discussion. Together with some Nigerian witnesses during Operation Spring. We want to watch the movie and talk about How to reflect and create awareness on the past and present issues of the black community in Austria. Which experiences and dreams do we have in 2016?
Refreshment and discussant follows immediately.

Event: Nigerians in Vienna: Perspectives from Different Generations
Thurs. June 23rd, 2016 – 6.30 PM at the Wien Museum, Karlsplatz 8, 1040 Vienna

How can the historical migratory narratives of Nigerians be inscribed in this city? Individuals from different generations will speak about their struggles for existence, recognition, against racism, and for cultural diversity.
Discussion, exhibition, performances and buffet featuring: Emmanuel Obinali Chukwujekwu (author, The Last Journey of Marcus Omofuma), Ola Egbonwon (soul & pop Singer), Belinda Kazeem-Kaminski, (cultural scientist, lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna), among others.
The exhibition "Naija Akatarians: Nigerian Migrants in Vienna since the 1960s" will be on display this evening at the Wien Museum.
In English
A project by Happy Akegbeleye, Petja Dimitrova and Clifford Erinmwionghae
Supported by SHIFT.