GUEST WORKERS – STORIES FROM THE 1970s

Edited by Ole Hammer, Emma Barnhøj Jeppesen and Dragan Jovanovic (2025)

On Saturday, 8 February 2025, the book ‘Guest Workers – Stories from the 1970s’ was published.

The book brings together a number of personal stories from people who themselves played a central role in the history of guest workers. It tells of the journey to Denmark in the 1970s, the first experiences in the workplace, encounters with Denmark, leisure time, home life and cultural encounters. The memories in the book are supplemented by images from private photo albums and photographs by Jerry Bergman and Uwe Bødewadt.

How can I buy the book?

The book can be purchased at the Migration Museum of Denmark, Kulturtorvet 12, 3520 Farum. Price: DKK 350. You can pay with MobilePay or cash.

You can also have the book sent to a PostNord parcel shop near you. Price: DKK 350 + postage. Send an email to museerne@furesoe.dk with your name, address, phone number, and whether you would like home delivery (DKK 70) or delivery to a parcel locker (DKK 55). You can pay via MobilePay or bank transfer.

THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTEST IN CHILE – 50 YEARS IN EXILE

Edited by Ole Hammer in collaboration with Myriam Navarrete and Ivan Salinas from “Chilegruppen 50 år”

The coup against Salvador Allende in 1973 left its mark on world history. But how did it affect those who survived and were forced to flee, went into exile and had to build a new life?

What happened to those who sought asylum and spent years in exile? And what happened to those who returned?

The purpose of this book is to tell the story of the Chileans who fled Pinochet’s regime, went into exile and came to Denmark. The book is a symphony of personal stories and group conversations, illustrated and brought together by highlights of some of the events that helped shape and challenge the lives of Chilean exiles in Denmark.

How can I buy the book?

The book can be purchased at the Migration Museum of Denmark, Kulturtorvet 12, 3520 Farum. Price: DKK 225. You can pay with MobilePay.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION IN DENMARK – FIFTY YEARS ON THE FRONT LINE

Edited by Ole Hammer (2019)

“Contributions to the History of Immigration in Denmark” is an account of the past 50 years of immigration history as experienced by the author, Ole Hammer, who has also played an active role in it – as a journalist, commentator and lecturer, as an employee in key positions, and as a partner working with public authorities, professional and humanitarian organisations, as well as immigrant organisations.

The book is filled with historical documentation, analyses, quotations, examples and references. It contains experiences, knowledge and visions that will hopefully encourage the reader to reflect. The book therefore makes an important contribution to our understanding of multicultural society and to the work of promoting positive integration of immigrants and refugees.

How can I buy the book?

The book can be purchased at the Migration Museum of Denmark, Kulturtorvet 12, 3520 Farum. Price: DKK 200. You can pay with MobilePay.

JOY, RANYA, SANA, SHADMAN, MARIAM – FIVE WOMEN’S STORIES

Published by Integrationshuset Kringlebakken

“Joy, Ranya, Sana, Shadman, Mariam” is a collection of life stories told by Joy from Uganda, Ranya from Syria, Sana from Morocco, Shadman from Iraq and Mariam from Lebanon. None of them had ever imagined that they would end up living in Europe, let alone in Denmark. For all of them, the change involved in moving to Denmark has been so profound that they cannot simply turn back time and become the people they were before they moved.

In this book, they tell their stories. These are memories of childhoods shaped by war, experiences of loss, and the loneliness of not feeling that you belong anywhere after leaving behind your loved ones and everything you knew. But they are also stories of dreams, hope and the transformation that arises through encounters with something new.

How can I buy the book?

The book can be purchased at the Migration Museum of Denmark, Kulturtorvet 12, 3520 Farum. Price: DKK 199. You can pay with MobilePay or cash.

FROM INSTAMATIC TO INSTAGRAM

By Mette Sandbye

Shortly after arriving in Denmark, Dusan Jovanovic acquired a Kodak Instamatic camera. Together with his wife, Darinka, he began documenting their new life. This resulted in a unique collection capturing everyday activities and family life in their new country. Today, the camera can be seen on display at the Immigration Museum of Denmark in the exhibition “Guest Workers – Stories from the 1970s”.

In her research, Mette Sandbye analyses the private photo album as a practice that helps shape reality. Sandbye draws parallels between the photographs taken by guest workers and other contemporary photo albums, such as Danish holiday photographs from package trips to Mallorca. The point is that photography is not simply passive documentation, but an active way of constructing a narrative about one’s life. By selecting particular subjects and moments, we create a visual foundation for our lives, whether we are documenting a holiday or establishing a new home.

How can I buy the book?

The book cannot be purchased physically at the museum, but is available from Gyldendal here. Price: DKK 299.95.