Tülin Sezgin "ALMANCI-Mädchen"

Reading and conversation with Tülin Sezgin

Many know Tülin Sezgin as "Conny from the Block" - an artistic persona she uses on social media to sharply observe German bureaucracy and "typical Germanness," all delivered with humor and parody. As a former civil servant, she strikes a nerve with millions of viewers through her characters. In her book ALMANCI-Mädchen, she expands this perspective with a personal lens: she discusses identity, belonging, and the question of how German one can, may, or wants to be.

"Imitation Germans" - this is how Tülin's mother describes herself after more than 50 years in Germany. Tülin too, born in the Berlin district of Neukölln, has faced this question since childhood. She lives in a constant tension between being a Berliner with a migration background in Germany and an almanci girl in Turkey. With a fine sensitivity for people, she tells of moments that shaped her, strengthened her, or hurt her - and sharpened her eye for characters, peculiarities, and clichés.

The conversation is moderated by Ivie Obulor, executive director of the European Cities Coalition against Racism (ECCAR) at the Office for Equal Opportunities of the City of Heidelberg. Topics include the new book, German administration, clichés, humor, and life between different cultural worlds.

The event takes place as part of the "Communities for All" conference of the European Cities Coalition against Racism (ECCAR), supported by the federal programme "Democracy Alive!" of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens and Women, and the Office for Equal Opportunities of the City of Heidelberg.