Destroyed memorial sites commemorating the Nazi genocide against the Sinti* and Roma*, desecrations of graves, content inciting hatred online and on election campaign posters, and verbal attacks on memorial site guides – all these are examples of antiziganism in the context of remembrance and memorial sites in recent years. Antiziganism is also emerging as a significant problem, partly due to increasing hostility towards memorial sites and attacks on the culture of remembrance.
To mark this occasion, we would like to take stock of the situation through the symposium ‘Antiziganism in the Context of Remembrance and Memorial Sites’, organised by the Cooperation Network against Antiziganism in collaboration with the Reporting and Information Centre on Antiziganism (MIA).
Through this event, we aim to provide a forum for joint discussion of the prevalence and manifestations of antiziganism in the context of remembrance and memorial sites, the reproduction of antiziganism in visual, film and other media formats, and related educational approaches. We will examine the associated challenges and highlight possibilities for practices that are more critical of and sensitive to antiziganism.
To introduce the topic, we will begin with contributions from various specialist perspectives. This will be followed by a case study discussion on memorial sites as venues for anti-Gypsyist attacks. The second part will focus on an exchange of views amongst the participants. The aim is to pool experiences, broaden perspectives and develop starting points for practical work. At the end, we will summarise key findings and open questions and provide an outlook on possible follow-up activities.
The event forms part of the work of the Network for Historical and Political Education work on the History of the Persecution of Sinti* and Roma* under National Socialism, which is coordinated by the Competence center against antiziganism.
Organisers: Competence center against antiziganism at the Lower Saxony Memorials Foundation; Education Forum against antiziganism, run by the Documentation and Cultural Centre of German Sinti and Roma; Critical Film & Image Hub at the Research Centre on antiziganism; and the Reporting and Information Centre on antiziganism
Target audience: Professionals, multiplicators and interested members of the public who are involved in the fields of historical and political education and the culture of remembrance at memorial sites or other learning venues, within the framework of civil society initiatives, in academia, politics or other relevant areas.
Venue: Online; you will receive an access link after registering