Depictions of Syrian Refugees as a Symbolic Figure of National Transformation in German Children’s Literature

Abstract

In recent years, the Syrian refugee crisis has had profound global repercussions, with Germany emerging as a primary destination for displaced individuals and families seeking asylum. In this context, children’s literature has become a crucial tool for shaping perceptions of refugees and fostering empathy, particularly among young readers. This study aims to critically examine the depiction of Syrian refugees in German children’s literature, focusing on their representation as symbolic figures of national transformation. The portrayal of Syrian refugees in German children’s literature serves as a vital medium for educating young readers about the challenges of migration and promoting empathy, tolerance, and inclusivity. Within this scope, the research adopts a transnational, intercultural, and translingual perspective to explore themes, narratives, and pedagogical approaches in children’s books that focus on the experiences of Syrian refugees in Germany. Using a qualitative research design, this study employs document analysis to examine the following works: Ursel Scheffler’s Zafira - Ein Mädchen aus Syrien, Peter Härtling’s Djadi, Flüchtlingsjunge, Katrin Holle’s Amani, sieh nicht zurück!, Paul Maar’s Neben mir ist noch Platz, Uticha Marmon’s Mein Freund Salim, and Kathrin Rohmann’s Apfelkuchen und Baklava. These works are analyzed to highlight their narrative structures, thematic elements, and symbolic representations. The study underscores the importance of children’s literature in addressing one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. Through the critical analysis of literary elements, it seeks to illuminate the potential of children’s literature to foster empathy and intercultural dialogue while challenging stereotypes. By emphasizing these objectives, this research contributes to understanding how literary works can serve as tools for promoting inclusivity and cultural understanding in the context of migration.

Keywords

• German children’s literature
• Syrian refugees
• transculturality
• translingualism
• transnationalism

Ulusal Dönüşümün Sembolik Bir Figürü Olarak Suriyeli Mültecilerin Alman Çocuk Yazınındaki Tasvirleri

Abstract

Son yıllarda, Suriyeli mülteci krizinin küresel çapta derin etkileri olmuş ve Almanya, yerinden edilmiş bireyler ve sığınma arayan aileler için birincil varış noktalarından biri olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu ortamda çocuk yazını, özellikle genç okurlar arasında mültecilere yönelik algıları şekillendirmek ve empatiyi teşvik etmek için çok önemli bir araç konumuna gelmiştir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Alman çocuk yazınında Suriyeli mültecilerin tasvirini eleştirel bir şekilde incelemek ve ulusal dönüşümün sembolik figürleri olarak temsil edilmelerine odaklanmaktır. Alman çocuk yazınında Suriyeli mültecilerin tasviri, genç okuyucuları göçün zorlukları hakkında eğitmek; empati, hoşgörü ve kapsayıcılığı teşvik etmek için önemli bir araç olarak hizmet etmektedir. Bu kapsamda araştırma, Almanya’daki Suriyeli mültecilerin deneyimlerine odaklanan çocuk kitaplarına ulusötesi, kültürlerarası ve dilötesi bir bakış açısı sunmakta ve bu türde kullanılan temaları, anlatıları ve pedagojik yaklaşımları incelemektedir. Nitel olarak desenlenen bu çalışmada, Ursel Scheffler’in “Zafira - Ein mädchen aus Syrien”; Peter Hartling’in “Djadi, Flüchtlingsjunge”; Katrin Holle’nin “Amani, sieh nicht zurück!”; Paul Maar’ın “Neben mir ist noch platz”; Uticha Marmon’un “Mein Freund Salim”; Kathrin Rohmann’ın “Apfelkuchen und Baklava” adlı öyküleri, belge incelemesi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma, günümüzün insani krizlerinden biri olan mültecilik bağlamında, yazınsal unsurların eleştirel analizi yoluyla, çocuk yazınlarının empatiyi ve kültürlerarası diyaloğu teşvik etmesi ile kalıp yargılara meydan okuması amaçlarının ön plana çıkarılması açısından önem arz etmektedir.

Keywords

• Alman çocuk yazını
• dilötesilik
• kültürlerarasılık
• Suriyeli mülteciler
• ulusötesicilik

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