EUROPA: An Illustrated Introduction to Europe for Migrants and Refugees, is a collaborative and independent book, the first of its kind intended for practical use by migrants and refugees, and as an educational tool to inform, engage, and facilitate community exchange. A print version of the book was distributed, for free, to different focal points around Europe during the months of November and December 2016. An electronic version of the book in all its languages, optimized for viewing on mobile devices, is available for free. Download the E-book here: MAGNUM or AFAC
EUROPA was created by a group of Magnum photographers and journalists, led by Thomas Dworzak, who have been covering both the refugee crisis in Europe and the many contexts across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa that gave rise to these migrations. The book harnesses the collective energy, skills and resources of its contributors to create Europa, a collaborative and independent book, the first of its kind intended for practical use by migrants and refugees, and as an educational tool to inform, engage, and facilitate community exchange.
Written in four languages – Arabic, Farsi, English, and French – the book offers an introduction to the motivations behind the creation of the European Union, how it developed, its current ethos, and the relevant debates that will determine its future.
Through first-person testimonies, readers are also introduced to many of the different people who make up Europe today — from citizens to residents to immigrants to old and new refugees — who in their own words tell their stories of displacement, war, solidarity, and reconciliation.
In the spirit of a travel guide the book also offers “Practical Information”. This chapter highlights the major destination countries, providing basic information about the different political systems, geography, demographics, traditions, as well as typical foods and drinks, films and books of interest, and a list of institutions and organisations that provide information and service to migrants and refugees.
As strong believers in the visual narrative, many photographs were included in the book, treasures from the Magnum archive dating from the 1940s to the present, that offer an interesting mix of compelling documentary photography and practical illustrative images.
EUROPA was produced in partnership with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) in the framework of the Arab European Creative Platform, Magnum Photos, Al-liquindoi, and On The Move, with support from Magnum Foundation, the Geneviève McMillan–Reba Stewart Foundation, MDIC, the Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In cooperation with Allianz Cultural Foundation.
Contributors to EUROPA are:
Project leader: Jessica Murray
Idea development and specific photography: Thomas Dworzak
Content development and editor: Alia Malek
Photo editor: Arianna Rinaldo
Writer: Lisa De Bode
Contributing writers and research:
Clemente Bernad, Matthew Cassel, Colette Davidson, Avra K. Fialas, Samra Habib, Ryan Heath, Joanna Kakissis, Christian Laes, Malene Lauritsen, Alia Malek, Nick Malkoutzis, Paul McLoughlin, Lara J. Nettelfield, Agathe Osinski, Michael Pizzi, Hugh Pope, Romain Seignovert, Courtney Tenz, Lam Thuy Vo, and Shahin Zarinbal.
English copy editor: Jose Fidelino
Arabic translation: Dr. Hanadi Ismail
Arabic copy editors: Hajer Almosleh and Dr. Hanadi Ismail
Farsi translation: Sahar Dowlatshahi
Farsi copy editor: Sheida Mohammad Taher
French translation: Émilie Hallard and Nicolas Sergère Tavares Sousa
French copy editors: Marie-Lou Morin and Nicolas Sergère Tavares Sousa
Design: Sinaida Michalskaja, Thomas Artur Spallek, and Shahin Zarinbal
Layout: Raeeka Nayeri, Jose Peneda, and Thomas Artur Spallek
Infographs: Rafael Höhr
Published by Al-liquindoi, November 2016