"Almanya: A [Different] Future is Possible” Defying Narratives of Return in Fatma Aydemir's Ellbogen

This paper investigates the theme of returning ‘home’ in Fatma Aydemir’s 2017 novel, Ellbogen, arguing that novel’s protagonist utilizes her physical journey to Turkey formulate a new, fluid positionality between apparently conflicting expressions Otherness and belonging. Through lens decolonial anthropology, including works Eduardo Viveiros de Castro Stuart Hall, I examine ways which imaginaries inheritance ascription both inform deconstruct components Turkish German archival memory. My reading proposes conceptual framework encounter return are not conclusive, but continual. The character Hazal’s engagement with multiple elements family’s diasporic memory meld lived experience violence disenfranchisement Berlin—as well as difficulties accessing acknowledging communities she consistently finds herself associated Germany. ‘return’ country nationality then becomes critical renegotiation own identity—one transcends fixed notions belonging defined by subject’s spatiality or temporality. In providing this close also point its thematic continuities recent 2022 novel Dschinns, novels’ role within growing tradition contemporary German-language literature question underlying constructs division. intervention like realizes instead permits formulation unique positionalities through constant, ongoing negotiation. argue work such Ellbogen acknowledges participatory nature belonging, fragile bonds render possible, as-yet unwritten future participation may engender.