Documenting Germany’s forgotten refugee community

Lost in the Black Forest — Migrants – fleeing war, persecution and poverty – have been living in the country’s Black Forest for over 20 years.

Deep in Germany’s Black Forest lie the remains of Holzbachtalstraße 8 (H8): a refugee shelter for asylum seekers hoping to integrate into society. In December 2018, after more than 20 years, H8 was finally closed down and the 12 remaining residents were transferred to nearby shelters in the middle of nowhere. 

Photographer Sibylle Fendt came upon the shelter in 2014 while working on a large-scale project about refugees in Germany.  “It had a very bad reputation,” she says. 

In February 2015, Fendt made her first trip. She stayed for two hours and knew she had to return. “The location, the living, and the residents themselves – mostly very young men who radiated so much longing for a better future – all of this cried out to be documented,” she says.

Over the next three years, Fendt would visit H8 14 times. Each trip lasted three to five days, giving her the time necessary to explore and document this modern-day purgatory. Collected in the new book, Holzbachtal, nothing, nothing (Kehrer Verleg), Fendt’s photographs take us inside a little known world, where hopelessness fills the air.

© Sibylle Fendt Mohammed Swaleh, October 2018 Mohammed dreams of a career as a footballer. Currently, he is playing on the 1st men’s team of TV Gräfenhausen refugee

Mohammed Swaleh, October 2018. Mohammed dreams of a career as a footballer. Currently, he is playing on the 1st men’s team of TV Gräfenhausen

Here, African and Middle Eastern refugees fleeing war, persecution and poverty spend endless hours smoking, drinking tea, and using their phones to keep in touch with their loved ones. With no power over their destinies, they are forced to rely on H8 workers to help them create a better future. 

The book’s title was drawn from a word Fendt heard over and over again. Soon, the idea of “nothingness” became the guiding principle for her work. “I realised that the best way to formulate the seclusion and dreariness of the place is to concentrate on what is happening, and to work with repetition,” she says. 

Over the years, Fendt rarely saw shelter managers, social workers, or caretakers make an effort to integrate residents in German society, let alone handle basic maintenance of the space. “The shelter was in a miserable condition, there was a kitchen for all residents and no one cared about the condition,” she says.

refugee Hasibullah Gholamnabi, September 2016 Hasib received this robe for the Feast of Breaking the Fast from his parents by mail © Sibylle Fendt

Hasibullah Gholamnabi, September 2016. Hasib received this robe for the Feast of Breaking the Fast from his parents by mail

Only one volunteer named Sandra seemed to be involved in the lives of the residents: “She felt deep empathy for them. She didn’t look to blame others; she just helped where she could.”

The residents welcomed Fendt into their lives, inviting her to dinner and allowing her to pass time in their company. “Not everything was negative,” she remembers. “There was hope. I met men who were incredibly ambitious and simply fought their way through.”

“I recently met Bashir, a young Afghan who lived in the H8. He said to me, ‘In a way, Inm glad that I had to live in the H8, because if I could get through that, I could do anything.’ But of course, there were many who despaired of the hopelessness of the place.”

Sezar Krout, September 2016 © Sibylle Fendt refugee

Sezar Krout, September 2016

Curtain, October 2018 © Sibylle Fendt

Curtain, October 2018

Aubakary Kuyateh, February 2018 © Sibylle Fendt

Aubakary Kuyateh, February 2018

Alaa Safar, Dezember 2016 © Sibylle Fendt refugee

Alaa Safar, Dezember 2016

Breakfast, July 016 © Sibylle Fendt

Breakfast, July 016

refugee Lamin Cham, December 2017 Lamin is waiting for his friend Mohammed to make their way together to the supermarket 4 km away

Lamin Cham, December 2017. Lamin is waiting for his friend Mohammed to make their way together to the supermarket 4 km away

refugee Aso Dizayee, September 2016 © Sibylle Fendt

Aso Dizayee, September 2016

Holzbachtal, nothing, nothing is released on Kehrer Verleg.

Follow Miss Rosen on Twitter.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter


You might like

Portrait of a bald man with glasses and a beard, set against a blurred background.
Activism

Misan Harriman: “The humanity I bear witness to is extraordinary”

Shoot the People — Following the premiere of a new film exploring the photographer’s work and driving forces, we caught up with him to chat about his rapid rise, shooting protests and the need for powerful documentarians in times of struggle.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Colourful collage of album covers and record sleeves on display in a gallery or museum setting, with glass panels on either side reflecting the vibrant arrangement.
Culture

Largest-Ever Display of UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Opens at Tate Modern

Grief Made Visible — Comprising hundreds of panels made by lovers, friends and chosen family, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt returns in full for the first time since 1994 – a testament to grief, friendship and the ongoing fight against HIV stigma.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.
Sport

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Black and white image of several people in suits, some with long hair and unconventional appearances, alongside a large ship or boat model. Text overlaid: "FREAKS AND FINANCES".
Culture

On Alexander Skarsgård’s trousers, The Rehearsal, and the importance of weirdos

Freaks and Finances — In the May edition of our monthly culture newsletter, columnist Emma Garland reflects on the Swedish actor’s Cannes look, Nathan Fielder’s wild ambition, and Jafaican.

Written by: Emma Garland

A collage depicting a giant flup for mankind, with an image of the Earth surrounded by planets and people in sci-fi costumes.
Culture

Why Katy Perry’s space flight was one giant flop for mankind

Galactic girlbossing — In a widely-panned, 11-minute trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere, the ‘Women’s World’ singer joined an all-female space crew in an expensive vanity advert for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains its apocalypse indicating signs.

Written by: Emma Garland

Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...