Cathérine Andrzejewski: I have an old soap and it is the most precious object I have ever had. Once in a month my grandfather got - in addition to his wages - a piece of a soap for his family. I guess the soap must be about twenty years old now. When I look at it, I see my grandfather and the kitchen and the cellar, I smell - I see the factory where he worked - the soap is so full of stories! (soap in the > exhibition)

Yared Dibaba: We try to grow up our son in three languages: in German - and my wife is Portuguese. I hope that our son will profit from these three cultures - anyway, he has not got any other choice. And I hope that in some years he will travel to Oromia. Unfortunately I cannot go back because of the political situation, but my wife and my son can, and then he will meet his grandgrandmother and he will see his second and third home - or his first - whatever.

Yolanda Gutiérrez: When I sit there, I can see the hanging cloths, these baskets full of bread and many women, so beautiful from behind, because they are thick and they wear their hair in long pigtails and flowers are arranged in front of them - it is just a powerful image!

Mokhtar: The well was as deep as 33 meters! I still remember exactly the moment, when I let my body fall - and there was a big groan! I fell into the deep water - and could not find the ground! I went totally out of my breath because the water was so cold! Still today I can feel the excitement and the deepness of the water! I yearn for the wells and fountains, for the pure air and the taste of the fruits there.

Dora-Otima Quainoo: It was nothing special to eat - but my mother shared it with so much love! And when one of us children said: It is not enough!, she answered: Come on, eat it first! God will give us a chicken or a big piece of bread - or ice cream! I am quite sure that tomorrow God will bring you something! And as a child I did not know that tomorrow never comes!

Antonio Cosenza: When I was a little child, I very much wished to have that small toy guitar. I was then very frustrated though that it did not make any real sound. I tried to reconstruct it and replace the simple wire with proper guitar strings. Then I started to play some simple rhymes. And I remember that by then my parents realised that music must be strongly connected with me. (toy guitar in the > exhibition)

Ge-Suk Yeo: And then I walked to Altonaer Balkon at the river Elb. I thought that would already be the sea. I saw the harbour - and I was so happy! And suddenly a Chinese ship passed by! A big ship in the middle of the city! From China, Korea, Netherlands, from all over the world! And I had the feeling, this could be home, too.

Keyvan Taheri: Yes, I am quite grateful for the time we lived at Pfefferstrasse. The place was a good experience in my life. This Pfefferstraße. 31. Pfefferstraße 31. I still remember the telephone number. 647... Or 6471058 - yes, that's it! I even know the telephone number! Unbelievable!