The Unknown Europeans
Photographs by Austrian photographer Kurt Kaindl of widely unknown ethnic minorities in Europe

Presented by Goethe-Institut Hongkong
In collaboration with the Austrian Consulate General

The Unknown Europeans (Die unbekannten Europäer)

Photographs by Austrian photographer Kurt Kaindl of widely unknown ethnic minorities in Europe
13.4. – 3.5.2016 | Goethe-Gallery

In a Sarajevo bazaar

Goethe-Institut Hongkong and Austrian Consulate General jointly present the photo exhibition “The Unknown Europeans” (“Die unbekannten Europäer”) by Austrian photographer Kurt Kaindl from April 13 to May 5, 2016 at the Goethe-Gallery. The exhibition shows black and white photos that Kaindl took of the widely unknown ethnic minorities in Europe, namely Aromuns, Sephardim, Gottscheers, Arbëreshë, Sorbs and Dögewö. The exhibition will open in the presence of the photographer on April 13 (Wed) at 7:00pm in the Goethe-Gallery. An exhibition catalogue with text by Karl-Markus Gauß is available for browsing at the Gallery.

One of the great errors of our time is the assumption that Europe has already been discovered. However, our mental map is still full of blank spaces – whole areas of terra incognita. The Aromun people, for instance – who has heard of them? The Sephardim of Sarajevo – who is aware that they still preserve the tradition and language of the Spanish Jews driven out of their homeland by the Inquisition in 1492? No better known are the Gottscheers, a German-speaking group on the border of Croatia and Slovenia, or the Albanian Arbëreshë, who have lived in southern Italy for 500 years, or the Sorbs, Slavs who settled in Lusatia, in eastern Germany, in the days of Charlemagne, or the Dögewö, Romanies clinging to existence in Slovakia…

In recent years, the photographer Kurt Kaindl and the writer Karl-Markus Gauß visited six of Europe’s tiniest ethnic groups struggling for survival of their nationality. Kaindl approaches these unknown Europeans with curiosity, but also with respect. His intensely moving photographs show bizarre landscapes, derelict cemeteries, attractive villages – and people who have learned to assert themselves.

Karl-Markus Gauß sketches the history of these nationalities and tells of experiences awaiting the traveller who ventures into unknown Europe.

Want to read about some interesting self-perception of Europeans in comparison with the perception of other countries? Take a look at a survey result at the Goethe-Institut’s website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/be/prj/eli/erg/ges/enindex.htm 

Goethe-Gallery address and opening hours:
Goethe-Institut Hongkong | 14/F Hong Kong Arts Centre | 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai
10:00am - 8:30pm (Mon - Fri) | 1:00pm - 6:00pm (Sat)
Free admission www.goethe.de/hongkong