The image of Berlin in the works of modern emigrant writers

Abstract

The article considers the image of Berlin depicted in the German fiction by the writers who emigrated to Germany in the 90s of the 20th century. The article is aimed at considering the Berlin artistic image formed in the works of two emigrant writers V. Kaminer and C.-F. Banchu, at identifying the main parameters of "the city of Berlin" concept given by those authors and also at revealing the system of the oppositions that comprise a comprehensive image of Berlin, such as the city as an interaction and confrontation of Eastern and Western Europe cultures, their national specificity manifested in all spheres of human life and activities, especially in immigrants life, the features of metropolitan life, Berlin residents, both native city dwellers, emigrants and refugees, who are inseparable from the city and form its image. The research is also focused on the language tools that the authors choose to reproduce their associations and impressions. Some artistic images of Berlin acquire ironic connotations. The research findings show that the image of Berlin given by both authors consists of the same components. They refl ect the specific features of a particular city, its status, history and only its inherent features. The Berlin of Kaminer and Banchu is a city that is a refl ection not only of the narrow world of each individual, but also a refl ection of the world picture. At the same time, each of the writers offers their own vision of the object and uses various language tools, techniques and transformations.