Objekt des Monats
Jedes Objekt in der Sammlung des Deutschen Auswandererhauses erzählt eine ganz persönliche Auswanderungs- oder Einwanderungsgeschichte. In dieser Rubrik stellen wir Ihnen jeden Monat ein anderes Objekt vor – eine Fotografie, ein Dokument oder ein persönliches Erinnerungsstück.
June 2021
Oil painting, 1967
on the occasion of the opening of the new building of the German Emigration Center on June 26, 2021
© Collection German Emigration Center
Historical context
The month of June is particularly significant for us, the team at the German Emigration Center, as it marks the opening of our second major expansion on June 26, 2021. We are excited to present all our new offerings to visitors. Here is one of over 300 new objects that we will be showcasing to our visitors in addition to the already displayed pieces. Furthermore, they can expect many newly processed authentic life stories from migrants and immigrants. One of these is: Adriana Olsson.
Short biography of Adriana Olsson
In 1933, Adriana Ruja is born in the Transylvanian city of Cluj, known in German as Klausenberg, in Transylvania. Her maternal family originates from Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, migrating to Cluj centuries ago. Her father is Romanian and the director of the city’s university. Adriana Olsson experiences difficult times with the outbreak of World War II, as borders often change and Romania switches sides in the war. Adriana Olsson’s mother narrowly escapes deportation to the Soviet Union.
In 1973, Adriana Olsson manages to come to Germany. She is fleeing. For the German minority, this is anything but easy. Adriana Olsson has to fight for help. However, in 1986, her fortunes change. She marries the graduate engineer Olof Olsson and together they rise into the high society of Munich. The two travel the world and enjoy their time together. After a serious illness, Olof Olsson passes away in 2012. Adriana Olsson establishes the ‘Adriana and Dr. Olof Olsson Foundation,’ which is based at the German Emigrant House, to promote culture and education. She passes away in 2016.
Significance of the Object
Adriana and Olof Olsson collect many artworks during their travels, often featuring landscapes that should remind them of their journeys. The oil portrait from 1967 shows Adriana Olsson as a young woman before her immigration to Germany. The painting was created by a friend of her father’s. Like many of her family’s furnishings, Adriana Olsson also takes this painting with her and keeps it in good care.
We are very excited to tell you the story of Adriana Olsson and many other emigrants and immigrants starting on June 26, 2021, at the ‘new’ German Emigrant House.
Do you also …
… have an emigration or immigration story from your family that you would like to share along with the related objects and documents for the German Emigrant House’s collection? If so, please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau at the phone number 0471 / 90 22 0 – 0 or by email at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de.
More information on donationsArchive: Previous Objects of the Month
Show all objectsDo You Also Have …
… a story of emigration or immigration in your family that you would like to share with the German Emigration Center together with the related objects and documents for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau by phone at +49 471 / 90 22 0 – 0
or by e-mail at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de