10 Jahr Willkommenskultur // Würdigungsveranstaltung zur Ehrung aller Beteiligten

In the organizer's words:

Thursday, September 4, 2025:

Photo lecture by Lutz Jäkel | Admission 6.30 pm | Start 7.00 pm

Friday, September 5, 2025:

10 years of welcome culture | Admission 6.00 pm | Start 7.00 pm

Free admission

In September 2015, the Keuning.haus stopped its cultural work and became a so-called hub for refugees. Together with many other volunteers, we organized a support system and switched to 24-hour operation. Levent Arslan, who had been the house's program manager for three months at the time, slept on a sleeping mat in the office, while the whole team took care of receiving and providing the arriving people with food, medicine, clothing and much more. We all experienced their need - and at the same time the great willingness to help in the Nordstadt district and beyond.

Aladin El-Mafaalani was one of the first to help. From this experience, Aladin and Levent developed the "Talk im DKH" format, which will always remain something special for this very reason. The first talk took place in 2016 - with several hundred guests.

Aladdin's mother, Nabila El-Mafaalani, was also involved with dedication and passion from the very beginning. She has been running the Café Marhaba run by Levante e.V. in the Keuning.haus since 2015 and, together with many, often volunteer, staff, supports people arriving in Germany. The Train of Hope e.V. association was also founded as a result of this special situation and it is now impossible to imagine working with refugees without it. So what began ten years ago has developed into a permanent area of work with many offers. Moving times - which we want to remember.

On Thursday, September 4, we cordially invite you to a multimedia lecture by Lutz Jäkel on the new Syria. The photojournalist and author has known the country for over 30 years, has traveled there countless times and lived there for a while. He returned to Syria just a few days after the fall of the regime. He will tell us live about his experiences in the war-torn country, but also about the great hopes of the people.

On Friday, September 5, we will then celebrate ten years of welcome culture with all of you and many guests at Keuning.haus with panel discussions, a stage program, photo and film contributions and a party - open end! This evening belongs to all supporters. A thank you to all of you!

You can find detailed information about the program on our social media channels.

Greetings from Levent Arslan and city director Jörg Stüdemann.

Moderated by Aida Demirović-Krebs.

Organizers: Keuning.haus, Train of Hope Dortmund e.V., Levante e.V.