Cemal Arslan: From Turkish teenager to Villinger's favorite citizen

Cemal Arslan: From Turkish teenager to Villinger's favorite citizen

On December 18, 1973, Cemal Arslan turned his life upside down when, as a 14.5-year-old, he arrived in Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden, from the Turkish city of Izmir. Since then he has put down roots in Germany and built a new life. “I like Villingen,” he says with a broad smile. His experiences with his German hosts were entirely positive and the place has held a special place in his heart.

His father came to Germany in 1965 and worked in construction before Cemal's family followed in 1971. Cemal, who came to his new home as the fifth of seven children, initially didn't speak a word of German. But this didn't stop him from settling in quickly and working hard. He started out with “zero knowledge of German,” but it didn’t take long until he found a job at the Schnurr printing company, where he worked in the packaging department.

Cinematic language formation

Cemal developed a passion for cinema, which helped him tremendously to improve his German. Fascinated by images and stories, he used his time in the cinemas to learn the language. “Films make it easier for me to learn German,” he explains. This enthusiasm led him to get involved in the community peephole cinema, where he is still active today.

In his youth, Cemal did not experience any prejudice or discrimination, which he partly attributes to his blonder appearance. “People often thought I was a tourist,” he says with a smile when he thinks back to his summer vacation in Turkey. Despite the cultural differences, he managed to adapt quickly and soon felt at home.

Everyday family life in Villingen was shaped by the culture of its roots. Although they lived in Germany, his family spoke Macedonian in their own apartment. This was a conscious decision in order not to forget their origins and at the same time to learn German for the authorities and other everyday requirements. His children often helped to translate official forms, while Cemal himself further deepened his German through additional courses at the adult education center.

A new German citizen

When the Schnurr printing company filed for bankruptcy in 2000, Cemal used the time to apply for his German passport. “It all happened pretty quickly,” he remembers. However, he had to renounce his Turkish citizenship, which was an important step for him. Now, years later, there is the possibility of dual citizenship, but Cemal sees no reason to return to a dual identity as the Blue Card, which grants him extensive rights in Turkey, is completely sufficient for him.

Life has changed and made easier for him, especially as he gets older. Today he is retired and spends two to three months a year in Turkey, where he rediscovers everyday life in his original homeland. He mentions that this can be a challenge because he now has to encounter different ways of seeing than in the classic holiday times.

He is hardly interested in political discussions or sports anymore. “My heart belongs to film art,” says Cemal with a satisfied smile. When he sits in the Venezia ice cream parlor in the pedestrian zone and observes the changed surroundings, he realizes how much both Villingen and his home village in Turkey have changed. In Villingen-Schwenningen, cars have disappeared from the cityscape and small shops are gradually being closed.

But despite these changes, one of his childhood friends always accompanied Cemal. In both countries, Turkey and Germany, he realized how important it is to “find not many, but true friends,” he explains thoughtfully about his life’s journey.

For further details on Cemal Arslan's life, his special connection to Villingen and his experiences as an immigrant, you can find in-depth reports www.suedkurier.de.