How is identity formed in the diaspora over generations?
In my current photo project, which I am working on as part of my studies at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York, I dedicate myself to the Palestinian diaspora in Germany. I am interested in how experiences of displacement, migration and insecurity are passed on across generations – not only through stories, but also through material objects, rituals and shared memories.
Palestinians in Germany often do not have a uniform national affiliation. Their identities are shaped by experiences of loss, adaptation and discrimination – but also by the active creation of new homelands. Which elements of their origins remain, which change and which are only formed anew in the diaspora?
The questions of my project
- How do Palestinians in Germany experience their identity across generations?
- What memories and traditions are passed on – consciously or unconsciously?
- What role does the political debate in Germany play in their sense of belonging?
The project combines portraits, documentary photography and still lifes to create a multi-layered visual narrative about home, loss and the passing on of memories. I document how families preserve their past – be it through stories, everyday rituals or symbolic objects that retain meaning across generations.
Why I am doing this project
I am part of this story myself: my father is Palestinian, my mother is German. I grew up with many questions that are only now becoming the focus of my work. What does it mean to inherit an identity characterized by conflict, migration and insecurity? What role does it play when history is passed on not only through official narratives, but also through personal memories?
These stories are often not documented. They exist in conversations, in family archives, in photographs hanging in living rooms. My aim is to make these memories and experiences visible – not as a rigid narrative, but as a living, changing process.
Become a supporter and support me
If you would like to support my documentary work, you can become a member of my community and sign up for my newsletter. This will give you access to exclusive content, such as unpublished texts and images as well as behind-the-scenes material. You can also get actively involved by suggesting topics and taking part in discussions.
I look forward to you joining me on this journey!
