Anyone can have an idea
Yasin Yazar and the participants of Art Walks via the participatory platform
Reading time: 7 Minutes
When you walk through Mannheim, you see streets, squares, and buildings. The participants of Art Walks and Art Talks want to reveal the stories behind them and create new perspectives. This participatory project brings together young people who explore their city through photography, creativity, and conversation. Yasin Yazar has been working with other young people for many years. He and three other project participants tell us what their work is all about, how they perceive Mannheim, and why some stories are just a walk away.
Anna Maier
How would you explain Art Walks and Art Talks to someone who’s never heard of them?
Yasin Yazar
I’d describe Art Walks, Art Talks as a platform for youth participation or as a way to get to know different forms of engagement. With most of them, I’m more like a big or little brother—the whole thing feels very family-like. When someone asks us during a walk what we’re doing, we usually say, “This is a cultural project here in the neighborhood.” Then we also show them our Instagram account.
Anna Maier
What excites people about it, and why do they want to get involved?
Mostafa Rasuli
For example, we’ve spent a lot of time in the Hemshof neighborhood in Ludwigshafen. Many people don’t really know the neighborhood well or have a negative impression of it right off the bat. That’s why we take photos and videos there to simply show a different perspective. We want to show that there are many beautiful aspects to the neighborhood as well.
Bekir Güler
People can showcase their own neighborhood and their home. In doing so, they represent their neighborhood. You also discover things you’d otherwise just walk right past for example, graffiti with a deeper meaning or a hidden message.
Anna Maier
One of your projects is “Schattenwerk,” which focuses on heat and cool places. Is this an important issue for young people in Herzogenried?
Yasin Yazar
Young people from different neighborhoods come here. The place is like a hangout because it’s cool here. We’ve noticed that the heat affects young people in particular. They have their usual spots where they hang out, but they can’t go there anymore when temperatures are high. Then they end up in places like underground parking garages, where they aren’t welcome either. That’s why we wanted to address this in the project.
Anna Maier
Why is working with young people important to you?
Yasin Yazar
I know how important it is for young people to have something they can engage with. Culture especially Mannheim’s cultural scene helped shape who I am. I want to share that experience with young people. When it comes to art and culture, many people initially think it has nothing to do with them. But when you walk through the neighborhood together, take photos, or get to know people, you quickly realize that it’s also about your own city and your own surroundings. It’s important to me to create low-barrier access and show what’s possible.
Anna Maier
Why did you decide to carry out the project in Mannheim? What advantages does the city offer you?
Mostafa Rasuli
There’s just more going on in Mannheim, especially on the weekends. It’s easier to strike up a conversation with people here than in Ludwigshafen. Plus, we know our way around here better now. That’s why Mannheim is the best fit for us.
Bekir Güler
There are generally more opportunities for young people in Mannheim. There are good networks for young people here.
Through a project, you often come into contact with new people and discover other projects where you can meet even more people and make friends.
Anna Maier
What have you learned about Mannheim through this project that you didn’t know before?
Bekir Güler
Since we’ve been living here and meeting new people through the projects, we’ve discovered various new spots. For example, the Mannheim Harbor or the Rheinterassen.
For me, it’s important to know the local people and build a network in the neighborhood. If you treat each other fairly, the collaboration works well. The people in the neighborhood are there every day and support the whole thing. Without the projects, for example, I probably wouldn’t have much to do with the neighborhood management. And the local clubs support us, too. Structures like this actually exist in every neighborhood.
Anna Maier
Do you perhaps discover new cool spots for yourselves through your measurements?
Yasin Yazar
Even though I’ve lived here for a long time, I used to have no connection to the bookcase between the apartment buildings at Brunnengarten or to this square. I’d just walk right past it in my daily routine. Since the predecessor project and the current one, when we make plans, we usually say, “Let’s meet at the bookcase.” It’s cool there, the benches are clean, and there’s literature. If you sit there for an hour, you take in a lot.
Before the interview, we accompanied Yasin and the group on a tour of the neighborhood. They showed us how a survey is conducted, what they look for, and how locations are mapped as shaded or hot spots. To do this, they use various measuring devices and an app developed by Yasin himself. The entire process is also documented with photos.
Anna Maier
Yasin, what’s next for your current project?
Yasin Yazar
Our project is divided into four modules. Module 1, which involved mapping and measuring, is officially complete. In Module 2, we’re working with blueprinting and exploring the theme of textiles in the neighborhood. Together with a student from the Technical University, we plan to offer three days of workshops to design jute bags, T-shirts, and perhaps other textiles. Module 3 is a podcast. Finally, there will also be an exhibition showcasing the entire project. Public spaces actually suit us well.
Anna Maier
What’s your favorite place in Mannheim?
Yasin Yazar
Schillerplatz is definitely my favorite place. It’s cool there, and I can just unwind. For me, it’s a way to balance out everyday life.
I like being in Jungbusch, right where there’s a lot going on. When I want some peace and quiet, I go to the Rhine or the Rheinterrassen.
Mostafa Rasuli
I think the Rheinterrassen are really beautiful. When it gets dark, you can see the lights on the Ludwigshafen side. Together with the bridge, it’s just a beautiful backdrop.
Anna Maier
Looking ahead to the future: What would you wish for Mannheim and the quality of life in the city?
Yasin Yazar
A teenager from a neighboring neighborhood wants to work on a project with his cousin to find spots where a drinking water fountain could be installed. I also think there’s a lack of such fountains. There should be at least one in every neighborhood. On our walks, we have to buy water three or four times. Water fountains would therefore also be beneficial for our health.
Additional gathering places would be important for young people, such as a calisthenics park or a recreation room with small recreational activities and a vending machine. There should be places where young people can get together and have fun.
Anna Maier
Where do you think the best food in Mannheim is?
Yasin Yazar
My favorite is Bâb-Et in Rheinau. They serve the best döner with no additives. It tastes just like Mom makes it. We even drove from Jungbusch to Rheinau one night to eat there.
Mostafa Rasuli
In my opinion, the best restaurant in Mannheim is Parsi.
Shaban Sultani
There used to be an Afghan restaurant called Maza near Uhlandstraße. I have Afghan roots and usually eat Afghan food at my mom’s house. But I tried it there once and thought it was good.
Anna Maier
How would you describe Mannheim to someone who’s never been here?
Yasin Yazar
It depends on why someone is coming to Mannheim. If you’re just here for a weekend, you might not be immediately impressed. But if you come here to work or make a difference, then it’s great because you get support everywhere. You just have to knock on the door and have the courage to try. There are a lot of creative people in Mannheim, from young to old. Basically, a lot is possible here because people are open-minded. People support ideas.
Mostafa Rasuli
I’d mention the market square. It really is a special place. It feels international there, and a little bit like home. For me, the downtown area and the Rhine also represent Mannheim.
We would like to thank Yasin Yazar, Mostafa Rasuli, Bekir Güler, and Shaban Sultani for their openness, as well as Steffen Gassenferth from the Herzogenried Neighborhood Management for his support and the fascinating insights into the neighborhood.