The Nordstadtgalerie successfully ended the year 2023 with the "WARM AND SAFE?" event. Three informative events on homelessness were created in collaboration with committed stakeholders.
The Nordstadtgalerie connects academic life at Fachhochschule Dortmund with society and local people in the north of Dortmund. It creatively implements important topics of the district and the university of applied sciences in high-profile events.
Prejudices against homeless people
"Nobody has to be homeless in Germany." - Widespread prejudices such as these reflect society's lack of understanding of those affected. Tim Sonnenberg, lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, dealt with discriminatory prejudices against homeless people in his doctoral thesis. At the start of the event on December 4, 2023, he presented excerpts from his academic work - the focus here was on dealing with those affected. In the subsequent discussion round, interested parties took the opportunity to ask the doctoral student questions.
On the same day, the photo exhibition with works by Lennart Hüppe was opened in the interior. The event was supplemented by comprehensive information on the history of the interpretation of homelessness and a window exhibition that presented four committed institutions for homeless people in Dortmund: Kana Suppenküche, Gast-Haus, Wichern-Wohnungslosenzentrum and bodo e.V.
A formerly homeless person reports
On December 11, 2023, activist and author Janita-Marja Juvonen read from her book "DIE ANDEREN: Die harte Realität der Obdachlosigkeit" and shared her personal experiences from the perspective of a former homeless person. There was a lively exchange between the visitors and the author both during and after the reading.
Social city tour with bodo e.V.
In collaboration with bodo e.V., the event concluded with a fully booked social city tour on January 13, 2024. Tour guide Dennis, who used to be homeless himself, took the participants past facilities for homeless people in Dortmund. Through his stories, the tour guide provided deep insights into life on the streets. The social city tour ended with hot drinks and a joint discussion in the Nordstadtgalerie.
With the "WARM AND SAFE?" event, the Nordstadtgalerie is increasing the visibility of homeless people by focusing on a two-way exchange.
Tim Sonnenberg, M.A.
After consultation by mail.