The value of free research and teaching for society and for each individual becomes particularly clear when this is jeopardized. Political repression in the school and university sector, marginalization, intersectional discrimination, or a lack of choice in education are key reasons for many people to come to Germany, specifically to Berlin. Even today, almost 20 percent of students enrolled in Berlin are new to Germany, and many of them come from countries where academic freedom is under threat.

We suggest to focus more on the following questions: what do freedom of education and academic freedom mean to these newcomers? What are their expectations of academic freedom, vocational training and higher education? Are their expectations fulfilled and, if not, why not?

The centerpiece of our project is a research-based and artistic co-production process moderated by academics who have experienced displacement, in which the meaning of ‘freedom’ is explored. The results of this research-based learning will be documented in two artistic formats – as a video and a radio play.

Our research project will be part of the Long Night of Science 2024 at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on June 22nd, where we will record the audience's ideas and experiences with freedom of learning and research in Berlin. You can find us and our mobile studio in front of the main building on Unter den Linden 6.

The value of free research and teaching for society and for each individual becomes particularly clear when this is jeopardized. Political repression in the school and university sector, marginalization, intersectional discrimination, or a lack of choice in education are key reasons for many people to come to Germany, specifically to Berlin. Even today, almost 20 percent of students enrolled in Berlin are new to Germany, and many of them come from countries where academic freedom is under threat.

What do freedom and academic freedom mean to these newcomers? What are their expectations of academic freedom, vocational training and higher education? Are their expectations fulfilled and, if not, why not? documented in two artistic formats – as a video and a radio play.

The centerpiece of our project is a research-based and artistic co-production process moderated by academics who have experienced displacement, in which the meaning of ‘freedom’ is explored. The results of this research-based learning will be documented in two artistic formats – as a video and a radio play.

The value of free research and teaching for society and for each individual becomes particularly clear when this is jeopardized. Political repression in the school and university sector, marginalization, intersectional discrimination, or a lack of choice in education are key reasons for many people to come to Germany, specifically to Berlin. Even today, almost 20 percent of students enrolled in Berlin are new to Germany, and many of them come from countries where academic freedom is under threat.

What do freedom and academic freedom mean to these newcomers? What are their expectations of academic freedom, vocational training and higher education? Are their expectations fulfilled and, if not, why not? documented in two artistic formats – as a video and a radio play.

The centerpiece of our project is a research-based and artistic co-production process moderated by academics who have experienced displacement, in which the meaning of ‘freedom’ is explored. The results of this research-based learning will be documented in two artistic formats – as a video and a radio play.

This lecture series organized by Prof. Dr. Schirin Amir-Moazami and Dr. Dina Wahba takes place Thursdays during the summer term at FU Berlin (Fabeckstr. 23/25, Seminarraum 0.3090B) at 4 - 6 pm (c.t.). At the first session on May 2nd, 2024 Dr. Dina Wahba will speak on the topic "Politics is What Moves Us: Affect, Emotions and Political Action". Please find the full program below.

On June 7th, Dr. Dhara Patel will hold a lecture about "Socio-Spatial Negotiations of the Highly Skilled Indian Migrants". For further information, please view the event poster below or click here.



This event is part of the lecture and conversation series Dwelling Together: Urban Housing, Neighborliness and Multilocal Homemaking, which takes place every wednesday from 6-8 pm during the summer term 2023. To view the full program of the lecture series, please take a look at our poster via the link: https://www.iaaw.hu-berlin.de/de/querschnitt/medialitaet/poster-dwelling-together-urban-housing-neighborliness-and-multi-local-homemaking.pdf

GAMS and RePLITO are delighted to present:


"I ESCAPED TO MY FUTURE"

- an accompanying booklet to a participatory film project made in Berlin (2023).

The idea for a joint film project with unaccompanied children and young adults who arrived here recently and after weeks and months of being on the road, sometimes on very unprotected and risky routes, was jointly created during a workshop held by our visiting research fellow Dr. Nagehan Uskan on the topic of “Visual Storytelling as Resistance” at the beginning of 2023.

(To read the booklet, click here or on the image below)

On May 31st, Dr. Arshi Javaid (Einstein Junior Scholar/GAMS) will hold a lecture about "Tracing Vignettes of Srinagar through a Memory Lens". For further information, please view the event poster below or click here.

This event is part of the lecture and conversation series Dwelling Together: Urban Housing, Neighborliness and Multilocal Homemaking, which takes place every wednesday from 6-8 pm during the summer term 2023. To view the full program of the lecture series, please take a look at our poster via the link: https://www.iaaw.hu-berlin.de/de/querschnitt/medialitaet/poster-dwelling-together-urban-housing-neighborliness-and-multi-local-homemaking.pdf

“The Ice Cream Sellers” (2021, 75min)

A film by Sohel Rahman

The Ice Cream Sellers (75") tells the story of two little siblings and the genocide survivors of the Rohingya community who fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh after a brutal genocide. While most of the Rohingya people were exhausted from the weight of their trauma, the two siblings began their new life with hard work, selling cheap ice-cream door to door in the world´s largest refugee camp in a desperate attempt to earn enough money to bribe officials for the release of their father from prison in Myanmar. The film invites the audience to become a part of the journey of two children across the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, just as the director himself was invited and received intimate access into their journey of life. The film portrays a story of tragedy and loss, courage, and suffering. On one hand, we have parents’ harrowing tales of their flight from their homeland, and on the other, we see laughter and the irrepressible spirit of the children.

Director’s note:

During the Rohingya genocide in 2017, a picture of a mother fleeing from Myanmar carrying two children on her shoulder touched my heart deeply. My mother does not belong to the Rohingya community, but what would have happened if she did? I imagine a situation where I am a Rohingya child, and my mother is running fast with all her energy towards the border while carrying me and my little sister over her shoulder to escape from a massacre.

I saw the Rohingya exodus arrive from Myanmar, crossing the River Naf into Bangladesh. The refugee camp is just a few hours from my home town, Chittagong. One morning I went to the refugee camp where I encountered many Rohingya people. Eventually, I met Ayas and Asia. I saw those sad eyes staring at the sky with thousands of words.

Making a film about the refugee crisis is not a new concept but in my view, the encounters and access into the lives of those Rohingya people make the film unique. As a result, it is a universal story of human tenderness and struggle rather than a conventional refugee film. I approach filmmaking from both an artistic and humanitarian perspective, incorporating my knowledge of literature, anthropology, and my life experience and background.

I hope that the film The Ice Cream Sellers will not only make a significant contribution to the

existing film world but will also help to stop the ongoing genocide in Myanmar and protect the Rohingya community from further violence.

2021 Winner 16th Tasveer South Asian Film Festival: Audience Choice Best Documentary

SAFF Montréal 2021: Jury Award Best Feature Documentary

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgVESYILtQg&t=31s