After 20 years: return to Neubrandenburg - loneliness instead of home?

After 20 years: return to Neubrandenburg - loneliness instead of home?

Neubrandenburg, Deutschland - Returning home is often a step full of mixed feelings. This also experiences the return in Neubrandenburg, such as the author, who has returned to his old homeland in different cities in Germany after 20 years. Despite the anticipation of old acquaintances and familiar places, the first few months are not easy. After seven months in Neubrandenburg, the family has not yet felt properly arrived. A lack of social contacts and the low interest of the locals contribute to the fact that they often feel alone. This reports the SVZ .

The return was made against the original resistance. Old friends also have a full everyday life and little time for spontaneous meetings. A grilling appointment now requires a long lead time because the life processes in the city are strongly structured. It becomes clear that in Neubrandenburg social life often does not correspond to the flexibility of urban life in larger metropolises.

come home with obstacles

Another case is the 40-year-old theater maker Rika Less, who moved back to her hometown of Neubrandenburg in western Germany after two decades. Rika, who went to Oldenburg and Braunschweig for her studies at the age of 19, has never really lost sight of her city. Your return also consists of the desire to develop artistic projects in the city. An example of this is her play "How do you do good art for East Germans?", Which deals with topics such as East German identity and the political situation. Rika describes that her reserved attitude of critical statements about Neubrandenburg is based on the request to establish a positive connection to the locals, while at the same time pursuing her own artistic perspective, as it is in an article by Deutschlandfunk Kultur explained.

rika's relationships with her family are also tense, especially with her father, which does not make the return easier. The connection to the roots is therefore influenced by various factors, not only from the geographical location, but also by personal stories and conflicts.

social networking and challenges

These experiences are part of a larger trend in East German cities, where many returnees face similar challenges. In a society that is increasingly shaped by emigration and aging, the creation of social anchor points is becoming increasingly important for young people. A study by MDR recommends meeting points for friendships in villages and small towns. Dorf apps and local chat groups could contribute to promoting networking and increasing the quality of life in rural areas.

That is why it is important that the returnee and local opportunities can be found to meet long -term relationships and thus create a feeling of belonging. Perhaps Rika's next initiative or the author will help in his column to find a little more commonality under the strict everyday life. And so it remains to be hoped that the return to an old home will be accompanied by new friendships when people admit each other time and work on their social networks.