In cooperation with the Migros Culture Percentage and the publisher Editions d’en bas, SAD launched an intercultural writing competition on the topic of migration. The main goal of the project was to demonstrate the literary and cultural richness, as well as the diversity of life experiences of those who have moved here.

Migrants sometimes come to Switzerland with few belongings, but have gathered countless experiences and impressions along the way. Their migration story is often marked by how they deal with cultural similarities and differences between their home countries and the place they move to. Often, these experiences and this knowledge lay fallow, literary talents remain undiscovered, and their stories untold...

The writing competition “Encrages” gave migrants in the Romandy region the opportunity to share their experiences, impressions, thoughts and dreams surrounding their migration stories, and made them accesible to an interested readership. It was aimed at all talented writers that have something interesting and moving to say on the topic of migration, especially migrants (including those migrating within Switzerland) from the Romandy region.

Goals

• To promote understanding and interest for the experiences and views of migrants in the Romandy region.
• To reduce prejudices and to encourage exchanges among various population groups in Romandy.
• To demonstrate the literary and cultural richness as well as the diversity of migrant’s life experiences in Western Switzerland.

Project course

The deadline for story submission was May 2, 2006. 283 enthralling and moving texts were submitted. The jury was assigned with the task of selecting the best ones. Their decision was made public on August 31, 2006. The 16 chosen texts were published in a book by Editions d’en bas with the title “Le chameau dans le neige et autres récits de migrations”. The release party and awards ceremony took place in May 2007 at the Salon International du Livre in Geneva.

Encrages

Medienmitteilung anlässlich der Preisverleihung (pdf, 32KB)

Partners

Pour-cent culturel Migros
Editions d’en bas

Loterie Romande
Eidgenössische
Ausländerkommission
Corymbo Foundation

Contact