At the end of the 1980s, a real culture clash raged in Paris in the social hotspots around Barbès Rochechouart. It was about more self-determination of the Arab and Maghreb population, especially the wearing of headscarves in public institutions and buildings.

At that time, I often came to Paris for work as a train attendant and documented everyday life and the social situation in the suburbs ('banlieues') – 'the forgotten Paris' of immigrants from the Maghreb states and the associated economic and ethnic exclusion.

In this series the focus is primarily on children and young people in the social ghettos around Barbès.