Syrians in Bautzen: Integration through culture and culinary diversity!

Syrians in Bautzen: Integration through culture and culinary diversity!

The situation of Syrian refugees in Germany has changed significantly in recent years. Since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, more than 1 million Syrians have come to the Federal Republic, with some of them settling in cities such as Bautzen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A current event entitled “From Damascus to Bautzen” aimed not only to present the internals of Syrian culture beyond war and flight, but also to clear up misunderstandings. Ziad al Eid, one of the organizers, came to Germany as a student in 2017 and describes how, despite prejudices and skeptical voices, he had positive experiences in Bautzen, while around 160,000 of his compatriots have now been naturalized. This was reported by MDR.

At the event, participants were able to enjoy various Syrian delicacies, such as zaatar flatbreads and desserts, which helped to increase interest in a cultural bridge. Ziad al Eid's wife, Laila Najib, who followed in 2019, also quickly found a job as an architect. Mohamad Ata Wunsch, who fled to Germany via the Balkans in 2015 and had an interesting journey, can also look back on positive integration. He started as a laborer and now manages purchasing, logistics and shipping in his company, a success story that gives hope to many.

Integration and challenges

The integration of Syrian refugees into the German labor market has gained momentum in recent years. In June 2024, 224,940 Syrians were in employment subject to social security contributions, which increased the employment rate to 31.9 percent of working age people. A cornerstone for these successes is also educational investments and language support, which must urgently be made available in order to further minimize the hurdles to integration. In comparison, many struggle with obstacles such as long asylum procedures and difficulties in having their qualifications recognized. This is proven by the results of a survey, according to which 24 percent of Syrian immigrants have no school qualifications - a number that compares to the German population of only 4 percent, according to bpb.

The big picture shows that Syrians now make up the third largest group of foreigners in Germany, behind Turks and Ukrainians. By the end of 2023, around 712,000 Syrians seeking protection were living in Germany. This is 22 percent of all those seeking protection in the Federal Republic. However, the idea that all refugees want to return to their home country is constantly changing. Many have settled in Germany and see a permanent future, as the surveys on asylum migration show.

The future of Syrian refugees

With the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, new discussion arose about the return options for Syrian migrants. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that well-integrated and working people are welcome in Germany. At the same time, the German Bundestag has taken a clear stance that no deportations to Syria have been possible since 2012 due to the tense security situation.

Although there are positive stories to report, the image of Syrian refugees also remains marked by challenges. Many women are forced to leave their hometowns due to hostility. The vast majority of Syrian refugees – around 94 percent of those who arrived by 2019 – want to live here permanently. The federal government has also started a voluntary departure program, in which 40 people have returned for the first time by February 2025, explains the Mediendienst Integration.

In summary, it is clear that the Syrian refugees in Germany are constantly integrating into social life and growing. However, mobilization and support in the form of education and integration are still needed to meet the challenges that still exist.