Lowest of the Low – taking stock after 40 years. With Günter Wallraff.
Günter Wallraff’s 1985 book Lowest of the Low, based on his undercover reporting as Turkish guest worker Ali Levent, sent shockwaves throughout Germany. Wallraff uncovered inhumane working conditions, racism and extortion in German businesses. Whether at McDonald’s, Thyssen or on large building sites, his experiences revealed a system that used people from migrant families as cheap, expendable workers. It caused a great outcry. Media and the judicial system reacted; the public view of guest workers and migrant labor changed forever. Yet from today’s perspective, his methodology also raises questions: Who is allowed to recount whose experiences? Where do you draw the line between awareness and appropriation? Four decades later, we ask what has changed since then – in the world of work, in how we deal with the reality of migrant life and in journalism itself. Host: Jens Dirksen
Contributors
Günter Wallraff
For 50 years, journalist and author Günter Wallraff has been … This text was shortened for this overview. Follow the more-link to read the full text.
Jens Dirksen
Jens Dirksen is the son of a miner and studied German and English… This text was shortened for this overview. Follow the more-link to read the full text.
Books
Event data
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Date:
Thursday
09. October 2025
17:30 -
Pre Pre sale price (fees excluded) 22 € | 18 € erm.
Eve Evening fund price 29 € | 25 € erm.
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Salzlager
UNESCO-Welterbe ZollvereinHeinrich-Imig-Str. 11,
Parkplatz C oder Parkdeck Zollverein (kostenpfl.)
Essen -
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- Induction loop can be installed if required Available
- Assistance dogs welcome Available
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