Keupstraße in Cologne-Mülheim has been a vibrant hub of Turkish life for decades and a place where tradition, family histories, and cultural diversity come to life. The documentary “Die Keupstrasse – Cologne’s Turkish Heart,” produced by UFA Documentary for the WDR series “Heimatflimmern,” paints a vivid portrait of this special street. The film will air on Friday, March 13, at 8:15 p.m. on WDR television.
“Keupstraße is one of the most famous streets in Germany. We are grateful that we were able to accompany the people there over several years and thank them for their trust,” said Ralf Jühe, Executive Director of UFA Documentary, and Thomas Laue, Chief Dramaturg at UFA, in a joint statement. “We were impressed by how, despite many negative experiences, they opened their doors to us, granted us insights into their world, and thereby changed perspectives. The stories of Keupstraße show us day after day how enriching encounters between different cultures can be. Here, migration becomes a success story.”
Originally built as housing and living space for workers at the neighboring Felten & Guilleaume cable factory, Keupstraße developed from the 1960s onward into a central hub for Turkish families in Cologne. Supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, and small shops shaped the streetscape early on, and the area is still considered the Turkish heart of Cologne today.
Life Stories of Keupstraße
The documentary follows people whose stories are closely tied to Keupstraße: Ömer Aldağ, who runs the restaurant “Kilim” and offers insights into the early days of his family business. Meral Şahin, who, with her home decor shop, shows how women in the neighborhood are forging new career paths. Ayfer Şentürk, who recalls the street’s early years as well as difficult moments like the nail bomb attack by the terrorist group NSU in 2004, which deeply shook the neighborhood. And Eko Fresh, for whom Keupstraße is a formative place from his youth and continues to play an important role in his artistic work to this day. In addition to personal life stories, the documentary also captures special moments of community: such as the annual breaking of the fast during Ramadan, when the Keupstraße transforms into a large street festival and people from all walks of life gather together at a long table.
