Former refugee visits Germany again

Mrs. Diana Matvosian is living with her family in Sydney.

In the year 1986 they left Germany, where they had saught temporary asylum,
in order to arrange their immigration to Australia.

In 2004, after 18 years, Diana returned to Germany to meet her former friends.

Armenians, a non-Muslim minority, traditionally lived for many centuries in northwestern Iran. Most of them were Gregorian Christians, although there were some Roman Catholic and Protestant Armenians.

The Islamic Revolution ended the second „golden age“ of the Armenian community in Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini’s restrictions, the Iran-Iraq War and the economic problems resulting from Iran’s isolation forced the exodus of 100.000 Armenians.

So Diana with her husband Vahik and little Hambik fled from their home country and went to Germany. There they claimed for asylum.

The family of Diana had been ordered by the German authorities to live during their asylum procedure in the district town Hofheim near Frankfurt.

There were two hostels for refugees. These were houses built in the past in a simple manner and poorly equipped for migrant workers, but in the meantime not used by them anymore.

Other Armenian families and singles were already living in Hofheim. Most of them planned to immigrate to USA and Australia, where they would find big Armenian communities, many friends and relatives. In Germany they were able to contact  the respective consulates and ambassies without problem.

In Hofheim existed a group of the Roman Catholic Peace movement PAX CHRISTI. Its members tried to find a better way of living together between refugees and citizens.

Thus they met weekly Photos of the meetings with the asylum seekers and their families, especially from Iran, Turkey and Eritrea (Africa) intending to build a place of friendship and neigborhood, where philanthropy without borders and barricades could be practised.

So many conversations, meetings in the hostels, excursions, the celebration of feasts and birthdays created an atmosphere of acceptance, tolerance, helpfulness and better understanding. Everyone enjoyed this new community of people with different status, religion, nationality and culture.

FOTOS UND FILM

Met asylum seekers and their families

Vahik with German friends of Pax Christi Vahik with young Armenians Diana and Vahik on 1. May dancing Meeting in the house of Father Herbert Cornelius and Vahik making music during a Christian service in a big tent of a refugee camp Herbert's birthday (1988) with Aris, his mother and more Armenian friends Learning to cook German meals in the school kitchen Vigen (left) rather experienced Armenian hospitality with Anahid Anat with Herbert and Karnik after a good meal Yolanda's birthday in 1987 with Saro and Father Herbert Greta and her girl friend talking to Hartwig Carnival in Hofheim Family Photo before leaving Germany Last photos at Frankfurt airport Rima, Anat and their children are to leave Germany (Nov. 26, 1986) Many Armenian and German friends say farewell It's every time a great ceremony

Armenian wedding

Diana’s visit 2004

Diana welcomed by Hartwig and Regina Weise Hartwig and Regina had visited family Matvosian some years ago in Sydney Diana wanted to see the former well known places of Hofheim Here they are sitting near the former city hall of Hofheim Father Herbert invited the Iranian Fouad, who occasionally came along, to join the group. His friend in Sydney is making music together with Diana's husband They are standing in front of the house, where family Matvosian lived during their stay in Hofheim Time to wallow in memories. Diana: Nethertheless, it was a good time!

Arlen*s and Naiad*s visit 2004

Arlen and Naiad from Australia meet in 2004 on their Europe trip Herbert Leuninger (l.) in Limburg in front of the romanic cathedral Naiad, whose mother is an Armenian, is a designer and wants to attend an international design congress in Berlin Arlen, living with his family for some years in Hofheim, left Germany 16 years ago as a 16-year-old boy Herbert taught Arlen, now computer expert, to make his first experience with a computer Naiad took many photos for her architectural studies Arlen will show Naiad the places in Hofheim, where he had been living with his family, after they had fled as christian Armenians from Iran

Anahid’s visit 2005

Anahid Vartazarian with Regina (l.) and Hartwig Weise (r.) from the former PAX CHRISTI group in Hofheim Anahid with Regina (l.) and Herbert Leuninger, also friend with Anahid's family in Hofheim Hartwig, Anahid and Herbert, living now with his sister and brother in Limburg Anahid documenting the meeting for her family in Sidney Johanna, sister of Herbert, with Hartwig and Regina Hartwig met Anahid and her family together with his wife several years ago in Australia Since Anahid lived in Hofheim as asylum seeker she became friend with Regina