Two street papers in close proximity to each other – 20er in North Tyrol (Austria) and zebra. in South Tyrol (Italy) – have collaborated with students at a local university to produce a co-branded 2023 calendar for vendors to sell. The calendar was launched a special pop-up exhibition at the beginning of November. It will be sold for €6 euros by zebra. and 20er vendors over the next two months.

North and South Tyrol street papers collaborate on 2023 calendar

Romanian-born Ramona is finding life tough these days: she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and works as a Kupfermuckn vendor, in Linz, Austria, when her health allows. She and her husband left Romania with their young son a decade ago after experiencing prejudice because of their Romani background. Nowadays, Ramona is doing everything she can to stay strong for her family, which welcomed daughter Vanessa in 2020.

Kupfermuckn vendor Ramona: “I thought to myself, ‘if I stay in Romania, I will die’”

 vendor Paul Nosaghare Igbeque. Credit: Anna Mayr.

Street papers have found themselves increasingly to be at the centre of the refugee crisis. Higher numbers of people selling street papers across different parts of the world have fled from their home countries due to poverty, persecution and conflict. Not only do street papers have the ability to platform their voices and stories, but they also offer a stable income when a place in the mainstream job market may seem out of reach. Their support beyond simply selling the magazine – assisting in applying for documentation and permits, looking for a new place to live, and language classes – means a pathway to integration into what is sometimes a new and unfamiliar society. Ahead of World Refugee Day on 20 June, INSP and its member street papers are helping some refugees – who now work selling street papers – to tell their story.

As the refugee crisis worsens, street papers offer a path to stability and a hopeful future

A togetherness of many people, ideas and voices – this is how editor-in-chief Michaela Gründler describes the Salzburg street paper Apropos. For 25 years, she has been responsible for shaping and developing the paper from an originally ridiculed medium into a quality multi-award-winning one. In this anniversary interview, she explains why this can only be achieved through togetherness, what equips her for the task and her visions for the future of Apropos.

Apropos editor Michaela Gründler: “I take all voices into account”

Igboanugo describes the feeling he has had since his arrival in St. Gilgen as inner peace. Photo by Siegrid Cain

By a twist of fate, Apropos vendor Igboanugo Anyichukwu ended up in the Salzkammergut region of Austria and found a new home at Lake Wolfgang. He talks about arriving and putting down roots.

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North and South Tyrol street papers collaborate on 2023 calendar

Kupfermuckn vendor Ramona: “I thought to myself, ‘if I stay in Romania, I will die’”

As the refugee crisis worsens, street papers offer a path to stability and a hopeful future

Apropos editor Michaela Gründler: “I take all voices into account”

Apropos vendor Igboanugo Anyichukwu: “I feel like I’m part of this community”