16/16 Stories from the German Emigration Center
Special Exhibition May 8 – October 31, 2026 at the German Federal Council
Starting May 8, 2026, the German Emigration Center, at the invitation of the Mayor of Bremen and current President of the Federal Council Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, will present the exhibition “16/16 Stories from the German Emigration Center”.
The exhibition showcases sixteen unique life paths – each leading into one of the 16 federal states or out of them. It covers journeys from South Africa to Saxony-Anhalt and then onwards to Bremen. From Bremen to New York. From New York back to the North Sea island of Föhr. The biographical stories of emigrants and immigrants, including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors, reflect international networks from the 18th century to the present.
Each individual life story stands on its own, while collectively they condense a piece of national and world history. “The 16 life paths in this exhibition invite us to view migration from different perspectives and to develop a deeper understanding of one another,” emphasizes Bremen’s Mayor and current President of the Federal Council Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte. “They encourage us to engage with openness, empathy, and curiosity in the experiences of others and to follow their life paths.”
The exhibition will be presented in the West Atrium of the German Federal Council and can be visited as part of a guided tour. Information on tour dates can be found at www.bundesrat.de.