Stages of a Flight
Stages of a Flight is a touring exhibition that portrays the living realities of individuals who had to flee. The project aims to counter the populist images shown in the media with the perspectives of those affected. Since 2015, photographer Simon van Hal and journalist and voluntary translator Nermin Ismail have – in seven different countries – encountered and accompanied people who were forced to leave their homes. In a hub for human smugglers in Izmir; along the Greek coastline; at railway stations in Hungary; on the Slovenian and Moroccan borders; in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta; in the shelters in Austria and Italy. The project gives these individuals the opportunity to tell their story and to be seen. Furthermore, it shows the political developments until 2017.
Turkey 2015/2016
In the shopping streets of Izmir lifejackets are omnipresent. Refugees get no government support and often live in very bad conditions. Izmir has become a hub for human smugglers. In the street, intermediaries approach anyone who looks like a foreigner and offer to arrange a crossing for them. Most refugees want to risk the passage. Often, however, they are short on money and become stranded in Turkey. Empty promises are nothing out of the ordinary. Sometimes, weeks or even months pass before they can make the crossing. Mudar and Walaa met in Izmir. They risked and survived the passage and are now in Germany.
Greece 2015/2016
The coast of Lesbos is lined with shipwrecks, clothing, rucksacks, shoes and lifejackets. Those who arrive here have already survived the worst part: the crossing. Many ships – overcrowded and often not seaworthy – capsize. Lifesavers are on duty to prevent people from drowning. Survivors wait to continue their journey. Be it at the ferry station or in the refugee camp “Moria”. Lesbos has become an island of solidarity: people from all over the world come here to help. A Canadian woman cooks hot meals and washes clothing and blankets. A Greek lady distributes bread at the boat terminal.
Hungary 2015/2016
In 2015, many refugees board trains and try to reach Austria via Hungary. However, in Hegyeshalomu, just a few kilometres before the Austrian border, they are made to get off and continue on foot to the Austrian border town of Nickelsdorf. Others are prevented from continuing their journey to Western Europe by the Hungarian authorities and camp at Keleti train station in Budapest. It is not unusual for refugees to be violently attacked and mistreated in Hungary. The struggles of the flight are visible. Individuals and some relief organizations are the sole providers of aid. Nobody, however, wants to remain here. For many, Germany is the chosen destination; others ask about the situation in Austria.
Austria 2015/2016
In the autumn of 2015 thousands of people arrive at the train stations. The close proximity of such a huge number of people seeking protection evokes compassion in many Austrians and gives rise to a large outpouring of solidarity by civil society. People join forces to welcome the new arrivals and to see to their immediate needs. Austria is a country open to refugees and migrants. But as time passes, government policy changes and the Balkan route is closed. Many refugees, however, are now in Austria and are waiting. Waiting to be granted asylum; waiting for a place in a German course, and waiting for their life to start. You have only truly arrived in a country when your family is also in safety. Following a long wait, the Wali family has been reunited.
Italy 2017
More than 85,000 people seeking protection arrive in Italy in 2017. Mineo, in Sicily, is the site of Europe’s largest refugee camp. The camp houses up to 4,000 people. One of these people is Yunis. She is 21 and doesn’t wish to be reminded of her flight to Europe. In Libya, militia members locked her up and abused her, until she was able to escape. She much prefers life here in Italy, despite the bleakness of everyday life behind the seemingly idyllic appearance.
In Caltagirone, there are 14 refugee shelters, one of which is for minors like Noah. Four of his friends, also from Gambia, died in the Sahara. He almost didn’t make it either. He dearly misses his friends, but is determined to make something of his life. Learn Italian, go to university and give something back – that is his aim in life.
Morocco and Spain 2017
A 16 kilometer long fence surrounds the Spanish enclave of Ceuta; it was built to protect the Fortress Europe. Ceuta lies on the North African mainland, but belongs to Spain. Time and again individuals manage to cross the border; people are injured regularly. In August 2017 some 200 people storm the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave. These people are kept at the CETI detention centre and are either deported back to their home countries or taken to the Spanish mainland. So far this year, 1700 people have managed to reach Spain. Thousands of others do not make it, but keep trying on a daily basis.
Many see Morocco as a transit country, but are forced to stay there. The city of Tangier is a place of encounter, at the crossroads between Europe and Africa. It is here that Mamadou, along with approximately 20 other people, sleep in concrete rings spaced out across the vast area. An hour’s walk away, near to the Jebel Moussa Mountain and not far from the border fence, some thirty young people are hiding in the woods. Some of them have been there for two whole years now. They are attacked almost daily by the authorities.