The Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés (ASTI) today unveiled a new action aimed at integrating asylum seekers in Luxembourg and the new community in which they find themselves - Christmas cards.
Graphic designer Yolande Koster first developed the idea two months ago when she encountered a Syrian artist who was looking to work in the field and was struggling to find opportunities. Although Ms. Koster was unable to offer the artist work, she began thinking about a potential project which would provide refugees with an artistic outlet to voice their hopes, dreams and experiences in a self-sufficient way.
"We thought that it would be a good opportunity to show Luxembourgers that the people who come [...] want to be integrated," commented ASTI Director, Laura Zuccoli. "They want to be part of our Luxembourgish society. You can see it in the cards, the cards are very Luxembourgish in a way".
Indeed, many of the six card contributors opted to depict Luxembourg landscapes, as was the case for Syrian translator Nour who decided to use the City skyline as a backdrop for her card. "This was the first landscape I was amazed by when I arrived in Luxembourg," she explained. "For me it was very emotional".
Revolving around the theme that 'We are all humans', each card contains, along with seasonal greetings in seven different languages, a very personalised touch in the form of an individual message from a refugee, such as "Don't forget, I am here to live with you" from Wafaa from Palestine and "Never stop believing in yourself" from Khaled, also a Palestinian national.
The project is significant in that it has been developed by refugees, for refugees, with proceeds from sales of the card sets to finance a newspaper project which, from 2016, will provide information to asylum seekers on the Grand Duchy, as well as vice-versa inform the Luxembourgish public of ASTI's activities and the perspectives of asylum seekers arriving at the association. As Laura Zuccoli explained, assembling a group of asylum seekers who were experts in journalism, photography, art or graphic design in their home countries holds the dual benefit of being able "to profit from the skills of people who come here" in creating a project which will help facilitate the integration of Luxembourg's newcomers, as well as the country's understanding of their experiences.
"These people are doing everything to finance themselves," the ASTI Director emphasised. "They are not asking for money from the government, they are being active."
This point was reflected in the words of Iran-born Ali, who has been in Luxembourg for four months. Although his profession is theatrical acting, Ali currently works in a hotel in the North of Luxembourg, explaining "I want to work [...] I want to be useful".
Adib, a Syrian asylum seeker, helped instigate another programme which will see 20 Arabophone ASTI beneficiaries embark on an intensive course to learn the Latin alphabet with an initiation into French, starting next week in Mersch.
Funds raised through sales of the Christmas cards will entirely contribute to the aforementioned projects, helping refugees to take matters into their own hands and gain independence to support themselves and integrate into the community.
"We wanted to show the people behind the refugee crisis," explained Yolande Koster, who covered all of the costs necessary for the creation and printing of the Christmas cards.
The cards cost €10 for a set of six, plus postal charges. They can be purchased by contacting ensemble@asti.lu or 43 83 33 1, or at ASTI premises at 10-12, rue Auguste Laval, Luxembourg-Eich. They will also be available to buy at the benefit concert at Philharmonie on 16 December 2015.
Photo by Sarah Graham
