A Storybook Homecoming? Remigration in Context

This publication addresses the topic of remigration -- focussing on the return of exiles to Germa-- ny and Austria after 1945. The articles of this book explore the multidisciplinary field primarily from the point of view of social sciences and humanities, thereby aiming at a systematic ap-- proach. Research on remigration was based on the stories of individuals for a long time and thus it was key for this study to maintain a broader view and analyse common patterns and struc-- tures. All papers were selected by an international call and map the current state of research in the field of remigration. The investigate the terms and conditions of coming back, examine the re-- quirements for a successful come--back and re--entry into the country of ones origin (a story-- book--homecoming), but also the reasons for a possible failed integration after long years of exile. In this context it is important to comprehend the meaning of remigration not only as the travel of persons ready to come back, but also as exchange and transfer of knowledge and cul-- ture. It could be shown, that many returnees in various way acted as influential intermediaries between their home-- and their host--country. Numerous of the papers in this publication deal with institutions after all remigration was dis-- cussed in newspapers, theatres, parliament, at the university, as well as in the literary scene. Reémigrés found their place within these institutions or had to experience exclusion. Ideology and mentality were also a key--factor for the success or failure of remigration. Exiles coming back were often confronted with ideological preconceptions that could support but also encumber the integration into their countries of origin. Various contributions in our book analyse how re-- migration was negotiated within political parties, how returnees themselves uncovered the ideological faulting in Post--War--Germany and --Austria or how they contributed to the political and ideological reconstruction of these countries. Storybook--Homecoming? shows the diversity and the broad spectrum of possible approaches when dealing with remigration. This study combines perspectives, research approaches and methods across the disciplines. It thereby sets a new benchmark, how this increasingly crucial field of research can by developed systematically while staying open, and accommodating a new comprehension of remigration, which is not seen as the last stop of migration anymore, but as a process that can not really be completed, that remains cyclical. This approach results in closing some academic voids but also presents new ones.