Opening of the exhibition arrived.inFO: Experience escape stories up close!

Opening of the exhibition arrived.inFO: Experience escape stories up close!

On June 21, 2025, the Paradeplatz in Forchheim will become the scene of emotional stories and important facts when the large-format exhibition “ankommen.inFO” opens. Mayor Dr. Uwe Kirschstein will inaugurate the exhibition at 11 a.m., which deals intensively with the fate of refugees. This initiative is a result of the collaboration of the Integration Steering Group, in which associations, institutions and city council members come together to raise awareness of the people behind the numbers.

The exhibition will be accessible free of charge from June 21 to July 27, 2025 and invites all citizens to engage with the personal stories of refugees who have found a new home in Forchheimer Land. It not only sheds light on individual fates, but also provides information about the topics of asylum, rejection of asylum applications and the path to German citizenship.

The challenges of escape

More than 122.6 million people are on the move worldwide, which is the highest number since records began. The causes of flight are diverse and range from war and persecution to climate disasters and hunger. Particularly alarming are the figures from the UNHCR, which reports that 117.3 million people worldwide were forced to leave their homes in 2023, with many fleeing out of fear for their lives and the well-being of their loved ones. Uno Refugee Aid characterizes a refugee as someone who flees due to persecution as a result of their race, religion, political opinion or social affiliation.

The tragedy of the refugees becomes particularly visible through the exhibition, which also shows how the recognition rates for asylum applications vary greatly in the EU countries. Germany, for example, recorded a recognition rate of 52% in 2023, while countries like Spain are only at 12%. The exhibition not only brings the refugees' stories into focus, but also draws attention to the challenges they face in their pursuit of a new life.

A supporting program for everyone

At the opening, the Big Band from the Municipal Singing and Music School will provide a musical atmosphere and lighten up the event. Tours are planned for schoolchildren and will be held after the Whitsun holidays in order to bring the younger generation closer to the topics of escape and asylum. Interested teachers can contact the [Culture Office in Forchheim](mailto:kulturamt@forchheim.de) directly to receive further information.

The exhibition is supported by well-known partners such as AWO Forchheim, the Forchheim employment agency and the Forchheim district youth ring, as well as other local institutions. Financial support is provided by VR Bank Bamberg-Forchheim and Sparkasse Forchheim. The appealing design by Lotz Design promises that the event will not only be informative, but also visually impressive.

This exhibition sends an impressive signal of solidarity and humanity. It's time to look beyond our own four walls and recognize that there is something at stake: the fate of over 122 million people who have the right to a secure future.