Stories Untold - Return of Georgian Migrants: Giorgi Bukhradze

We had an acquaintance in Germany, who told us that it was one of the best countries in Europe… that life there would be easy. Back then, we were still using visas and we left on ordinary tourist visa. One guy from Kutaisi helped us with arranging documents for that.

We registered as refugees in Karlsruhe. After several hours, a bus arrived that took us to Heidelberg. We stayed for two months there. Then we were transported and were settled in a large community base. There were many Georgians too, up to 20 persons. We spent one week in tents near Pforzheim Forest and then, because my wife was pregnant, we were taken to Mühlacker. We stayed and lived with people of different nationalities. It was very difficult. My wife was often ill. I wanted to leave, but I also wanted to stay. We gave up so much and sold so many things to collect enough money for this purpose. I felt big remorse. Was all this for nothing?
 

Photo: Dina Oganova