In 2022, I had the distinct honor of documenting the BallinStadt Emigration Museum in Hamburg — a powerful space that tells the stories of millions who once passed through Hamburg in search of a new beginning.

This project held special significance for me on a personal level. Having been forced to leave Syria due to war, I understand firsthand the hopes, fears, and challenges that accompany such a journey. That deep personal connection added an emotional layer to my work within the museum.

As I moved through the reconstructed dormitories and immersive exhibits, my camera became more than a tool for documentation — it became a means of capturing both historical memory and the universal human experience of migration.

BallinStadt is more than a museum; it is a place where history is kept alive and where visitors are invited to reflect on themes of displacement, resilience, and the search for a new home — themes that are also part of my own story.