Dimensions of (in)visibility in the context of Polish migration to Germany. The case of Berlin Cover Image

Konteksty (nie)widzialności w polskich migracjach do Niemiec. Przykład Berlina
Dimensions of (in)visibility in the context of Polish migration to Germany. The case of Berlin

Author(s): Dominika Studzińska, Magdalena Szmytkowska
Subject(s): Human Geography, Sociology
Published by: EUROREG - Uniwersytet Warszawski, Regional Studies Association - Sekcja Polska
Keywords: migration; invisibility; Germany; Berlin

Summary/Abstract: Along with time-related changes in the migration of Poles to Germany, the invisibility that has been ascribed to them has also evolved: from intentional hiding to deliberate merging into local social and spatial structures. The city of Berlin, perceived as an open, modern and multicultural metropolis, is an exceptional laboratory of transformations and diversity of social behaviours shown by Polish migrants. It attracts new citizens who not only want to make a living here, but also – and more frequently – to achieve self-fulfilment. While the invisibility of the economic migrants is mainly a result of their alienation in a new country, the representatives of lifestyle migration deliberately merge into the culturally diverse society of Berlin and they try to identify with other social groups. The aim of this article is to identify the existence and forms of every-day functioning of Polish migrants in Berlin in the context of invisibility.

  • Issue Year: 21/2020
  • Issue No: 80
  • Page Range: 22-39
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English, Polish