Community Map Pankow: A Celebration of Multilingualism and Collaboration
The Pankow Community Map is a tribute to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our district, as well as to the spirit of collaboration that defines it. In this first phase, the interactive map highlights the work of Migrant Organizations (MOs) in Pankow and also showcases our key partners: the district’s eight public libraries. We aim to complete this first stage by September 2025.
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An Example of Cooperation
This map is more than just a tool – it demonstrates how cooperation between civil society and public administration can bring about positive change. MSOs contribute unique multicultural perspectives and experiences, while libraries serve as inclusive learning spaces and meeting points. Since 2023, the academic sector has also become part of the project. The map would not have been possible without the valuable support of ELAR.
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Visibility of Multilingualism
The map emphasizes multilingualism as a core value in Pankow. The faces and voices of MSOs show how cultural and linguistic diversity enriches our community. With content in multiple languages, the map becomes a valuable tool to appreciate and promote plurality.
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Interactivity for Everyone
This digital map is not only a practical guide but also an interactive tool, especially suited for daycares and schools. By connecting with MSOs in the district, educators and students gain direct access to Pankow’s cultural diversity, fostering intercultural understanding and learning.
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Let’s discover the first steps of our interactive map – a work in progress developed with contributions from our Migrant Organizations (MOs) and the technical support of ELAR.
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The map uses orange stars to mark the MOs and blue books to show the libraries. And once we identify the organization, the star turns green. Just one click is enough to get to know us!
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LINGUISTIC MAP FOR PANKOW
From our decolonial perspective, the appreciation of multilingualism has taken on new facets and points of interest. Our support for multilingualism has expanded to include new perspectives such as the importance of spoken languages, the recognition of non-European languages and the diversity of varieties in postcolonial contexts. We also appreciate the diversity and value of local languages versus the idea of universality.
The presence of new communities offers us the opportunity to reposition the themes of migraUp in a new dimension, and multilingualism is one of them.
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We share the document that the attending organizations signed during the event honoring Lingua Pankow on October 17, 2023, at the Einstein Hall of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences.
Pankow Language Map:
A Civil Society Initiative
The idea of creating a language map for the district of Pankow emerged during the International Mother Language Day event in 2023. The goal is to highlight the linguistic diversity of Pankow and the people who speak these languages.
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The working group Lingua Pankow has brought not only color and new sounds to every neighborhood but also fresh ideas, innovative collaboration formats, and a wealth of cultural and linguistic dimensions. Drawing on this social capital and with the strategic support of the ELAR archive (www.elararchive.org), which has experience in developing similar maps in other cities, the concept of a language map was born.
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A sub-group named “Mapping the map” was formed to create synergies, develop joint project ideas, and support each other along the way. Although we were unable to secure local funding by 2024, the migrant organizations in Pankow decided to move forward with the initiative based solely on their shared commitment—without financial resources.
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We have already begun a dialogue with Lingua Pankow communities, marking the first steps toward the project’s realization. We will present our first developments on Friday, June 27 at the Heinrich Böll Library in our district.
ORGATEAM - Mapping the map
Project migraUp - Sources d'Espoir e.V.
ELAR
SprachCafé Polnisch e.V.
Koopkultur e.V.
Trixiewiz e.V.
MigrArte Perú e.V.
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Foto: With our colleagues of Lingua Pankow (ELAR. 13. June 2023).