A graphic novel depicts a refugee's journey

"Temple of Refuge" illustrates Iraqi-Kurdish migrant Sartep Namiq's journey to Berlin. It was commissioned with the help of a unique organisation. By Stefan Dege

  • A man with a backpack stands in front of a futuristic modern world behind a wall (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    Sartep's vision emerges: the book's main character, migrant Sartep, stands in front of the concrete wall of Fortress Europe. In front of this inaccessible world is the Tempelhof Airport refugee camp, which can be seen in the foreground of the cover (pictured). In the story, the young northern Iraqi finds an imaginative way to reconcile both worlds
  • Illustrations of people crossing fences and seas and in Rome (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    Recounting the journey: in striking images, the comic-style book "Temple of Refuge" depicts Sartep's perilous journey from Kurdish northern Iraq. It takes him across the Mediterranean, where he and fellow refugees wander through the streets of Rome. They then make the long trek through wintry southeastern Europe
  • A white bus drives through a shanty town in front of a high wall with a modern futuristic world behind it (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    A world without hope: a white bus speeds through a shantytown on Tempelhofer Feld toward the wall that separates two worlds. On one side, a refugee camp; on the other, the desired destination of many: Europe. The camp is spread out like a labyrinth at the foot of this fortress, whose walls seem impenetrable
  • Panels of the book depicting the difficult life at the refugee shelter (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    United by fate: People from many parts of the world live in the camp – they are united by a sense of hopelessness. Graphic artist Felix Mertikat has drawn powerful images to tell the story of Sartep Namiq who in reality was a resident of the temporary refugee shelter at Tempelhof Airport. He commissioned this work and also became its protagonist
  • Images depicting Sartep using this special magic wand to build a shelter (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    The Berlin miracle: only a miracle can break through the hopelessness of the people in the refugee camp on Tempelhofer Feld. Thanks to a special kind of magic wand, Sartep succeeds in fulfilling the wishes and dreams of the refugees. His vision of peaceful coexistence with all Berliners finally becomes reality
  • A futuristic Tempelhof Airport with plants and unique futuristic buildings (photo: the authors of "Temple of Refuge" and the New Patrons)
    Creating a utopia: by the end of the story, Tempelhof Airport becomes the centre of the world; a place where dreams can come true, thanks to a strong community. "Temple of Refuge" was commissioned by the German chapter of the New Patrons and will be released by Berlin publishers Egmont in March 2021