Bocholt Reads: Evelyne Waithira Müller reads as part of the exhibition "Heavy Steps"

The exhibition "Heavy Steps" explores experiences of flight, migration, exclusion and the difficulties of settling into a new environment. As part of this exhibition, Evelyne Waithira Müller will be a guest at "Bocholt liest!" on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

In the Appendix at LernWerk, she presents her autobiography "Mrs Müller, the Migrant - How Germany and I Got Used to Each Other" and recounts, in a personal, honest and subtly humorous way, her own journey as an immigrant from Kenya to Germany.

The reading thus explores key themes from the exhibition "Schwere Schritte" and complements the perspectives presented there with the author's personal story. Anyone interested will have the opportunity on this evening to meet Evelyne Waithira Müller in person and listen to her captivating reading.

A personal story about settling in

"Müller? Are you the wife of that TV chef?" - Evelyne Müller is constantly confronted with questions like this. Her humorous reply: "No, I'm Thomas Müller's sister" charmingly highlights just how quickly people tend to pigeonhole others. In her book, she recounts how, as an immigrant from Kenya, she gained a foothold in Germany and how, over the years, both sides grew accustomed to one another: the migrant and the country in which she lives.

In doing so, she recounts personal experiences of loneliness, culture shock and racism, but also of the opportunities to overcome challenges and grow from them. She places her experiences within a broader social context. Without pointing fingers, she holds up a mirror to her fellow human beings and encourages them to question their own perspectives and behaviours.

The reading thus ties in directly with the exhibition "Schwere Schritte%$. Whilst the Stadtmuseum im LernWerk highlights different experiences and perspectives surrounding migration and settling in, Evelyne Waithira Müller lends her own personal voice to these themes.

"'The exhibition "Schwere Schritte" impressively demonstrates just how varied and challenging the paths to settling in can be'", says Melanie Tenhumberg, director of Bocholt Municipal Library. "In Evelyne Waithira Müller, we have an author who tells her own story openly, humorously and, at the same time, with great insight. Her reading is a wonderful complement to the exhibition because it brings socially important issues to life in a very personal and immediate way. 'We are delighted to be able to host this special evening at the Lernwerk in collaboration with the City Museum'%$, she explains.

Experiences from many areas of life and work

Evelyne Waithira Müller was born in Kenya and, as a young woman, served as a professional soldier in the British Armed Forces. She has also gained experience in areas including refugee support, counselling and prevention work against Islamist extremism, and telephone counselling. Since 2019, the religious psychologist has been working part-time as a speaker and trainer on topics such as happiness and a meaningful life, self-esteem, self-acceptance and migration. She is married and the mother of a son.

Registration at the VHS and the municipal library

The event will take place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at 7.30 pm in the annexe of the LernWerk (Appendix). Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets cost 9 euros in advance and are available via the Adult Education Centre's website at vhs.bocholt.de, at the Adult Education Centre's office and at the municipal library. Tickets cost 10 euros on the door.

"Bocholt liest!" is a joint event organised by Bocholt Municipal Library, the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre and the Seitenblick bookshop. The reading will take place at the Lernwerk in collaboration with the Bocholt City Museum as part of the "Schwere Schritte" exhibition.