A life between two cultures: Reading by Mona Ameziane inspires pupils

Last week, presenter, podcaster and author Mona Ameziane presented her book "Auf Basidis Dach" and spoke about her experiences of living between two cultures. 230 pupils and their teachers attended the reading at the Kinodrom.

The VHS Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg and the JUNGE UNI in Bocholt had previously invited Bocholt schools to a reading "A life between two cultures" as part of the Intercultural Week. Pupils from Mariengymnasium, Hohe-Giethorst-Schule, Israhel-van-Meckenem-Schule and Beruskolleg Bocholt-West took up this opportunity.

The author Ameziane was born in Marl and grew up between two cultures as the daughter of a Moroccan and a German. Ameziane spoke in particular about her perception of racism and her own identity. "What does it do to your identity to have a shared origin? Where do I feel I belong?", asks Ameziane. "It's nice how colourful and beautifully mixed we are - even here. It's more exciting that we're not all the same", she explains.

In an open discussion, the participants then asked exciting questions about language, experiences, feelings and - which is also a recurring theme in the Intercultural Week - typical local dishes. The finale was organised by a pupil who asked Mona Ameziane questions in French, once again demonstrating the diversity of the audience.

This event was funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia through the project "Shaping Diversity" of the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre.