Speech by Mayor Christoph Palm at the Awarding of the Hansel Mieth Prize 2016 on May 4, 2016, in the Schwabenlandhalle Fellbach
- The spoken word counts
Dear Mr. Kermani, dear Hansel-Mieth Prize digital laureates, dear representatives of Agentur Zeitenspiegel, esteemed jury members, ladies and gentlemen,
For the first time in the 18-year history of the Hansel Mieth Prize, I cannot welcome you to the town hall, but to the Schwabenlandhalle. The name Navid Kermani has resonated far beyond the circle of those previously interested. It was also a joyous surprise for us that the jury of the Mieth Prize honored a writer who has already received numerous accolades for his literary work – including the Kleist Prize in 2012 (on the vote of Bundestag President Lammert) and the Joseph Breitbach Prize in 2014.
For you are many things, dear Mr. Kermani: a docent of Oriental studies, an essayist, the author of numerous novels, but not a professional journalist. However, as a widely and frequently traveled individual and as an engaged contemporary observer, you have long been writing travelogues, which were published in 2013 by C.H. Beck Verlag under the title „Ausnahmezustand. Reisen in eine beunruhigte Welt“ (State of Exception: Travels in a Troubled World).
It was therefore no coincidence that you undertook a journey on behalf of Der Spiegel in 2015, which took you from Budapest via Croatia and Lesbos to Assos - a journey in the footsteps of refugees. The reportage describes encounters with refugees, conversations with helpers, observations of situations, mixed feelings and, above all, provides insights into a complicated reality. The recordings, together with pictures by MAGNUM photographer Moises Saman, were published in Der Spiegel on October 10, 2015. Today, Navid Kermani (text) and Moises Saman (photos) are being honored with the Hansel Mieth Prize, which is awarded annually for committed reportage in words and images. Moises Saman is unable to attend for professional reasons. Dear Navid Kermani, you are here and I would like to welcome you and congratulate you. I would also like to welcome the picture editor of Der Spiegel, Matthias Krug, who represents the visual side. It should be noted that an expanded version of the report was published as a paperback in 2016 and became an astonishing sales success. Title: „The collapse of reality“.
Exactly 10 years ago, ladies and gentlemen, in 2006, the Hansel-Mieth-Prize was awarded to a report that appeared in Mare magazine, which I remember very well. It was called „The Dilemma of the Comandante“ and impressively described how the commander of the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa finds himself in an unsolvable dilemma: his mission is to rescue people from distress at sea. At the same time, he is supposed to protect Europe from immigrants.
Back then, this issue still seemed far away. In fact, people were glad that the associated problems were to be solved primarily by Italy. With the Dublin II regulations, responsibility had been delegated to the countries of first reception. „The refugee crisis did not begin only after Germany noticed it,“ writes Navid Kermani. In other words, the distant misery has now arrived at our doorstep. Neither the plight of people who leave their homes for many understandable reasons can be overlooked. It regularly floods into our living rooms through television in numbers and images. Nor can we ignore the problems that global migration movements bring to our society. The Commander's dilemma has become a European dilemma, our dilemma.
But how should we act appropriately? As individuals, as societies, as nations. In the face of what is called the refugee crisis, where it's never quite clear whether it means *our* crisis, *our* being overwhelmed, or the great crisis that the flight of so many people has triggered. What should be done in the face of war and violence that govern large parts of the world and have been brought very close to us in the form of terrorist attacks. Terror that feeds on various roots: an extremist interpretation of Islam, as well as the failed, neglected integration of second-generation immigrant youths. How do we respond to swelling resentments and conflicts within our societies, which manifest as a strengthening of the right-wing and right-populist factions – in many European countries and, recently, also in Germany? How do we counter xenophobia?
And how can we succeed in renovating our common European home according to a plan that includes everyone—the old and the relatively new residents, as well as those standing at the doors, knocking. Fortress Europe has likely already fallen, while many European states—particularly in Eastern Europe—are doing everything they can to build their own, separate fortresses in the name of supposed national interests.
The looming division of Europe – this omen is distressing. If Europe is understood not only as an economic area but also as a political alliance and a community of values, then the members should strive to put these values into practice through common effort.
Why should the European Union, with its current population of around 500 million, not be able to accept, treat properly, grant short-term protection to, and – if necessary – integrate in the long term, for example, 5 million refugees (which would be one percent of the population)? According to a reasonable key, of course, that takes into account the economic strength and social conditions in the individual member states.
It is said that Chancellor Angela Merkel followed a spontaneous human impulse when she opened the borders in a situation that was humanitarianly unacceptable and coined the now much-quoted and criticized phrase – „We can do it.“ I don't think altruism is the worst mistake one can attribute to a politician. Regardless, she acted as a European out of conviction. As such, she could expect – even with a clear head and rational calculation – that Europe would stand together and tackle the crisis jointly. Only in this did she err. Unfortunately.
I would like to name three guidelines that I believe should be observed in this socially and politically explosive situation. Living in a democracy also means tolerating ambivalence and tension, because there are usually no easy, no simple solutions.
We operate within a framework set and defined by law. As Germans and Europeans, we are bound by national, European, and international law. This mandates that we grant protection to asylum seekers. Therefore, asylum law is not charity but an obligation. Further guidelines are provided by the Basic Law, which states: „Human dignity shall be inviolable.“ This guiding principle applies to the treatment of refugees. However, it also serves as an orientation for those coming to us from other cultures who must accept that women are equal and homosexuals are to be respected. The obligation of every state to protect its borders and thus its citizens can come into conflict with the mandate to admit asylum seekers. An increased security risk can arise, particularly from uncontrolled immigration. We are currently addressing this in Germany through more regulated admission procedures.
The constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion applies to everyone – including Muslims. This right, in turn, finds its limits where religiously motivated practices conflict with our legal norms. Notably, the clear separation of religion and state forms the basis for all religions to coexist peacefully.
- As humans, we bear responsibility for our neighbors: family, friends, etc. Beyond that, for a Christian, there is the commandment of charity, which encompasses all fellow human beings. This is a difficult commandment that obliges us to expand our sphere of responsibility. In a globalized world, we grow together – concerning trade flows, production cycles, and communication in the digital age – and with that, our responsibilities also grow. If the proverbial rice sack falls over in China, it can have consequences worldwide.
When in the distance, far away in Turkey, peoples strike one another. One stands at the window, drinks his little glass, and watches the colorful ships glide down the river; then one returns home happily in the evening, and blesses peace and times of peace.
Goethe's observation, sarcastic even then, still holds true today. The further away something is, the more casual our reactions become. But what happens elsewhere—far away in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan—no longer reaches us merely as news, but in the form of flesh-and-blood people. These are people fleeing war and civil war, wars in which we are culpably entangled. And that's not all. More are coming and will come: for instance, those currently being sorted out under the term „economic refugees.“ While the Balkan route is currently blocked, nearly 3,900 refugees arrived in Italy by sea alone between April 7th and 13th. Several hundred lost their lives on this journey. Not Syrians, Africans.
There is currently an exodus taking place in Niger. Why? Because in this poor country, excessive uranium mining driven by France is poisoning drinking water and making grazing land unusable – this is just one example of many of how our standard of living contributes to robbing people in other parts of the world of their livelihoods, leading to migratory movements.
From our own history, we know how economic hardship caused waves of emigration. In the upcoming exhibition on the „Potato“ at the City Museum, emigration from Württemberg in 1816 will be a topic.
An escape from poverty from German lands, dating back 200 years. Today, our society is challenged: on the one hand, to rethink the global impact of our own actions, and on the other, to do something for refugees.
This dual imperative harbors conflicts: because our economic strength, which secures jobs and prosperity, depends on the export of products that require raw materials from all over the world, including from the Third World, for their production. Thus, in case of doubt, it would mean for us a renunciation of living standards and consumption habits.
The integration of refugees also demands a great deal from our society: financial resources, tolerance, and targeted support for integration. Without civic engagement, this monumental effort would not succeed. Unreserved gratitude is due to all of you who are working as volunteers for refugees in Fellbach (and elsewhere).
Those who denounce the so-called welcome culture and mock the volunteers as naive do-gooders are completely mistaken. In fact, it's not a bad feeling to do good and make a difference. Those who sneer about it should try it sometime.
Idealism alone, however, is not enough. And with that, I come to the third point. A sense of reality is required to find concrete solutions for the so-called refugee crisis. We urgently need overarching political alliances and concepts to alleviate the suffering that drives people to flee. Military interventions can only be the last resort, and even then, their effectiveness is questionable. Negotiations, on the other hand, are indispensable – with everyone – even at the risk of failure. Talking, even when it's difficult, with autocrats like Putin, who plays a key role in Syria, yes, even with Assad, who mistreats his own population. And: yes, of course, also with Turkey, because this country serves as a bridge between the Near and Middle East, where conflicts are flaring up, and the European hemisphere.
What, I ask, is so bad about a „deal“ if it creates more humane conditions for the huge number of refugees living in Turkey? After all, Turkey is the country that has taken in the most refugees worldwide. By the end of 2014, according to reliable estimates, there were already 1.59 million. Giving them a perspective there before they can return to their home countries – perhaps someday – is the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do even if the Turkish head of state Erdogan's dealings with his critics contradict our norms.
Diplomacy means acting with both principles and pragmatism. That's why talks with Turkey are inevitably a difficult balancing act between the effort not to jeopardize agreements on the refugee issue and the message of respecting freedom of opinion and the press. A message that must be conveyed with the necessary clarity.
Whether in negotiations between states or in human interaction – a culture of dialogue that includes and promotes nuanced assessments is also important. Positions that conflate causality – whether intentionally or out of primitive sentiment – are particularly questionable, such as: Because crimes are committed in the name of Islam, Islam is unconstitutional and should be banned. Or: because there were young men who harassed women on New Year's Eve, Arab or African men are potential rapists.
On the other hand: Just because there are many academics among the Syrian refugees – doctors, veterinarians, engineers – this doesn't mean refugees will save our job market. For humanitarian aid, our shortage of skilled workers is the wrong argument.
On the local, practical level, which is responsible for the concrete implementation of German refugee policy, I have gained manifold experiences in recent months, invested a lot of time, spoken with refugees, helpers, but also skeptics, and made decisions about accommodations together with the district office. In the process, I have learned how important it is to look closely, to listen, and to provide concrete assistance with good judgment. In Fellbach, there has been a lot of helpfulness and no xenophobic assaults. Outbreaks of cabin fever have also remained rare exceptions so far. Both on the municipal level and in national politics, one must get used to the fact that the world is changing at an unforeseen pace.
Clear, quick answers, ladies and gentlemen, do not do justice to ambiguous reality, and patent solutions are not in sight. The report by Navid Kermani and Moises Saman is also worthy of an award because it does not shy away from ambivalence, does not want to see prejudices – even well-intentioned ones – confirmed, names contradictions, and turns to individual people with great empathy.
Dear Mr. Kermani, you are rightly regarded – with your experience and your knowledge – as a builder of bridges between East and West, the Orient and the Occident – in a sense that encompasses cultures. The ivory tower of scholarship is as important to you as exploring reality, or rather, realities. With your Peace Prize speech, you impressively proved that you are a voice of reason AND heart.
Agency ZEITENSPIEGEL, dear Uli Reinhardt, cannot be praised enough. We are merely hosts. The fact that the Hansel Mieth Prize has existed for almost 20 years now is thanks to your commitment. The prize is awarded in the name of a photographer who, as Johanna Mieth, emigrated from Fellbach to the USA at the end of the 1920s. There, she became famous for her pictures, with which she focused on outsiders, the underprivileged, and minorities. The saying is attributed to her that „pity is the first injustice.“ This is presumably meant to refer to the sentimental undertone of an attitude that mirrors itself in the misery of others without consequence. On the other hand, Hansel Mieth said the following: „My heart bled for the poor people.“ The awarding of the prize to the reportage „The Intrusion of Reality“ would certainly have met with her approval.
To conclude, I would like to welcome the award winners of the „Hansel-Mieth-Preis digital,“ which is being presented for the second time this year: Kim Wall (text), Coleen Jose (photos), and Hendrik Hinzel (videos) have traveled specifically from the USA. Congratulations on your deserved award for the multimedia reportage „Exodus,“ which deals with the consequences of the USA's atomic bomb tests for the Marshall Islands: a topic that we should also include in our awareness. Ladies and gentlemen, please do not fail to pay attention to the work that is being shown on a monitor in the foyer. Before that, Eva Hosemann will read the reportage in her usual excellent manner, accompanied by Ull Möck on the piano.