Two women receive an integration price for creative sewing project in Hagen

Two women receive an integration price for creative sewing project in Hagen

On February 1, 2025, the integration price of the City of Hagen's integration council was awarded to the two young women Rahwa Wellerdieck and Gülsen Sayin. The award took place as part of the New Year's reception of the Integration Council, organized by the "East-West-East-Germany" association, in the council hall of the town hall on the Volme. The event was accompanied by Mayor Erik O. Schulz and Hakan Severcan, the chairman of the Integration Council.

Wellerdieck and Sayin were awarded “Make Fashion-Hagener Fashion Show Post Migrant 2024” for their project, which they launched a period of nine months last year. As part of a sewing course, the participants were able to expand their manual and linguistic skills. This group consisted of tailors who came from different regions such as Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Europe.

a creative exchange

The sewing course, which took place from January to September 2024, offered the participants the opportunity to create fashion pieces that reflected their personal biography and identity. The work that arises not only embodied craftsmanship, but also increased the feeling of belonging to the participants. As a result, a creative exchange was promoted, which on the one hand recognized the cultural background of the tailors and, on the other hand, struck bridges between different cultures.

The supporting program of the New Year's reception offered those present a varied experience with music, dance and performances by young people. These performances contributed to the living atmosphere of the event and show how integration through cultural participation can not only be achieved, but also celebrated.

integration through cultural participation

Insights In the importance of integration through cultural participation, the Bavarian Integration Award 2025, the motto of which is "Art makes it visible - integration through participation in cultural life". This prize is awarded by the Bavarian State Parliament and the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior and the Integration Commissioner of the Bavarian State Government. Projects are awarded that offer cultural participation both locals and immigrant people.

In this context, the integration of immigrant people plays a crucial role. It not only promotes the feeling of community, but also the reduction of prejudices. Projects such as "Make Fashion" and the numerous initiatives that apply for the Bavarian Integration Award show how important cultural integration is for a harmonious society. Interested individuals and institutions can submit their applications for the price until February 12, 2025. A total of 9,000 euros in prize money are available, which is divided into several award winners.

These initiatives clarify that integration is an active process that is designed not only by politicians, but also by committed citizens and organizations. The work of Wellerdieck and Sayin are an outstanding example of the potential that lies in the combination of art and integration. The integration price is therefore not just an award, but a sign of the commitment that is in the cultural participation of many people.