04.12.2012Migration as a Topic in German MuseumsFrom the
Periphery to the Center With a surfeit of history on their
hands, many German museums are only now discovering migration as
a theme. It's a step in the right direction, says Austrian
historian Regina Wonisch, but isn't enough. An interview by
Klaudia Prevezanos Why does the issue of "migration" belong in a
museum? Regina Wonisch: Because immigrants are a very important
part of our society. And when a museum fully understands itself
as an institution that addresses societal questions, then
migration is a very important component of our history – and
therefore of the museum's content, as well. As a theme, has
migration been traditionally handled differently in Germany than
in other countries? Wonisch: In Germany, France and the Anglo-
American countries it was approached very differently. In
Germany, the topic surfaced via a wide range of organizations
dealing with various aspects of immigration. These organizations
wanted to bring their own particular his