Nahida

Comic von Stephanie Brittnacher

Ein kleines Dorf nahe Chemnitz wurde für Nahida das erste Zuhause in Deutschland. Mit ihren Kindern zog sie später in die Stadt – und 2024 schließlich weiter ins Ruhrgebiet.

A small village near Chemnitz became Nahida’s first home in Germany. Later, she moved with her children to the city – and in 2024, finally, to the Ruhr area.

2015, in a village near Chemnitz. “So much snow!” – “Mama! Come!!” / In Damascus, it rarely snows. But when it does, everyone runs outside and plays in the street. / “Where is everybody?” In Germany, it seemed different.

“How generous the Germans are!” / The differences manifested themselves in the strangest situations. / “DON’T TOUCH!!” So that couch wasn’t meant for us. / “Hello! We’re your new neighbors and – …” Of course, we wanted to introduce ourselves to the others in the house. / “…” We weren’t used to that. In Syria, you would never turn someone away at the door.

But there were also many kind encounters as well. “Mama! Someone’s here!” / “We just wanted to say hello… and if you need anything – we’d be really happy to…” / This family lived a few houses away and was very helpful. „This is so wonderful!“ / A small dream I made myself happen. “These two!”

While my kids were at school, I really wanted to do something! / That family introduced me to the local kindergarten – and indeed: they wanted me to start helping there! / Some were really excited about it! / Others, not so much.

That’s when I stopped wearing high heels. / But I wouldn’t need them for my German classes anyway.

„… actually, right now I would be lying in the bathtub.“  Next to me sat a woman, also from Syria. / „We had a Jacuzzi, with a massage function. Now I’m sitting here with school books.“  / „Here we’re all starting from zero.“

„F***ing headscarf!“ – I often hear things like that. / The trip back from Chemnitz to the village took an hour./ „That was my stop!“

“STOP! STOP!! Please stop!!” / “You have to press here.” / “Just get off at the next one.” / I panicked. I didn’t know where I was anymore. It was dark. Our house must have been far away. I called the police. But nobody came.

“We have to get out of here.” – “What!?” / “Yes, to the city. I can’t wait an hour for the bus every time. This morning I was late again. It’s so embarrassing! And I can’t afford it. And besides. All our friends are living in the city!” / “But we’re doing fine here! It’s dangerous in the city!” – “Exactly. I’m staying here.” / “Mom!! You think it’s lame here too.”

“As if they wouldn’t stare at us here!” / “Please not the birds!” The women in our family wanted to move to the city, the men wanted the countryside. / In the end it was four to three. / “We’ll visit you!” – “Thank you! For everything.” But saying goodbye after five years in the village was not easy for anyone.

Our new apartment in Chemnitz was on the second floor, on a noisy street. Across from us a bus stop … and lots of gardens! I love everything that grows. / Kindergarten was replaced by adult education. I taught DaZ – German as a second language.

Besides classes, I wanted to do something outside, too. But that wasn’t so easy. “All taken! You’ll have to ask again later.” / We heard that for months. But then… / “There’s something free here. You can have it.” / “Ha!” / Gradually, my children finished school as well.

Our eldest daughter has already been working as a doctor in the Ruhr area. When she became a mother, a new decision had to be made. / “I’ll do the groceries for you and take everything off your hands.” / People say, ‘There are only Nazis in the East. I found out: these people exist everywhere. Most people in the West seemed to be more open-minded, but there was little space. I missed Chemnitz. The wide streets. And even the buses.

Also in the new city I found a job with children. In a… “We don’t call it a ‘Hort’ here. We’re not in East Germany. This is an open full-day program!” / I watch the children as they arrive, as they eat, as they leave. Honestly? It makes me tired. / My dream is to teach again! / But my degree from Syria is not fully recognized here. Should I start all over again? I’m too old for that.

Looking back, my start here in Germany was very hard for me. Everything was different – the people, the air. / At first, my daughters were still in Syria. They could come later to Germany. We talked on the phone every day, cried a lot. / For a long time I didn’t know: would it have been better to be dead than to exist in this foreign land?

Meanwhile, I say: Damascus is like my mother and Germany – a love?

Finanzierung / Sponsoring

Ein Projekt im Rahmen der Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025. Diese Maßnahme wird mitfinanziert durch Steuermittel auf der Grundlage des vom Sächsischen Landtag beschlossenen Haushaltes und durch Bundesmittel der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien.

Mit freundlicher Unterstützung des Finnland-Instituts, Berlin / With the kind support of the Finnland Institut, Berlin

Wir danken unseren Sponsoren Volksbank Chemnitz, sowie der Deutschen Telekom!