culture

• Germany

The "Heroes" project works to break down prejudices, stereotypes and patriarchal structures which are often the cause of oppression and violence 'in the name of honor'. Its members, trained "Heroes" who have migrant backgrounds themselves, hold workshops at schools with migrant peers who grew up with strong notions of traditional gender roles and protecting their family's honor. InfoMigrants met some "Heroes" in Berlin during one of their role-play based training sessions.

• Italy

The film 'Bar Giuseppe' tells the story of an Italian widower and an African migrant who fall in love. It was recently screened at the Rome Film Festival.

• Senegal
• Mali
• Italy

An opera titled "Winter Journey" tells the story of a migrant who leaves his family in Africa to board one of the many boats from Libya to follow his dream of working in Europe and sending money back home.

• Zimbabwe
• Russia

Russia accepts very few refugees, and those who come have a hard time socializing. But a local NGO has come up with an idea to change that and show them that Moscow can be friendly.

• Portugal
• Nigeria

A year ago, 19 of 630 migrants rescued from the Mediterranean by the charity ship Aquarius were taken in by Portugal. They all ended up in the small town of Fundão, located some 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Lisbon.

• Italy

The exhibition "Rothko in Lampedusa" will put the spotlight on refugee artists. It opens on May 11 in Venice. The goal: To show how refugees and migrants enrich their host countries.

• Italy

In Italy, a project aims to help writers who are migrants or come from migrant families, and to spread their work. Both experienced and aspiring poets, authors , and journalists can participate.

• Syria
• Armenia

For many European countries, the arrival of war refugees has caused domestic political upheaval. But one tiny European nation has actively welcomed those fleeing Syria. That country is Armenia, a country of just three million people in the south Caucasus region. And as Christian Cummins found out, this open-arms policy has cultural, historical and pragmatic roots.

• Italy

Migrants are working as museum guides in Florence, to talk about the city's and Italy's heritage. The hope is that by reinterpreting the city's culture for visitors they will improve their own integration. That's all thanks to a project called Amir.

• Germany

The International Literature Festival in Berlin offered a preview of the second volume of the book series Refugees Worldwide. Its authors sign literary reports and essays delving into the refugee situation.

• Italy

A group of migrants visited Naples' Archelogical Museum together on Thursday evening, in an event organized by the February 3 Association, an anti-racism group in the city that works for integration.

• Germany

Joining a sport "Verein" (club) is a great way to get acquainted with Germany. And it is not just for those with a knack for soccer.