African immigrants from Germany attend annual gala in Turkey

By Metin Aydemir

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) – Children of African immigrants gathered to celebrate their cultural heritage in Turkey's Aegean Izmir province.

The children of families who migrated from various African countries to Anatolia or Germany organized presentations, panels, as well as trips and entertainment activities in the Aliaga town of Izmir.

Nearly a hundred members of the Afro-Turks Culture and Assistance and Solidarity Association, Joliba – a Berlin-based intercultural network organization –, and the Afro Young Community (AYOCO) of Germany participated in activities to cherish their shared history and cultural heritage.

Deputy Chairperson of the Afro-Turks Culture, Assistance and Solidarity Association BeyhanTurkkollu said the cultural meetings are held in Izmir every year except in 2020 due to pandemic measures, with an aim to connect families with African origins.

She stated that the activities bring traditions back to life that are on the verge of extinction. "We would like to pass down this beauty, friendship, and companionship to the next generations," she said. "We want to tell our stories to our children to last for generations."

AYOCO Chairperson Annette Kubler said the cultural meetings turned the group into a family. "This is extremely important for us. This meeting makes us very happy and benefits us greatly. Therefore, we try to come here every year," she added.

Samra Ayala, an Ethiopian-origin university student at Berlin's Alice Salomon University's Social Studies Department, said the Izmir meetings are a watershed moment in her life.

"I feel far stronger with the people with African origins in Turkey. I can tell that I have found my true identity here," Ayala remarked.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara