Berlin - Memorial to the Sinti and Roma

[CARL]

Under the shadow of the Reichstag, the beautifully presented memorial area for the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism is set among the trees edging the Großer Tiergarten. It is a most fitting reminder to a section of society who suffered greatly during those dark days. Sadly often forgotten, they are remembered here in a fine setting, with an admirable attention to detail - the names of many a camp and ghetto where Zigeuner ("gypsies") were persecuted is etched into paved stones that surround a tranquil well which has a retractable stone at its centre, upon which a fresh flower is placed daily. Artist Dani Karavan's creation is an informative, thought provoking reminder that serves as fair tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Roma, Sinti and other groups (such as Lallere and Lovari) who were persecuted between 1933 and 1945. The memorial, opened almost three years ago, is dedicated to all Roma and Sinti victims, not just those remembered in the short poem "Auschwitz", written by Roma poet Santino Spinelli and present in bronze letters around the edge of the pool.

Carl

List of attachments:

1) Entrance to the memorial, located at the edge of the Großer Tiergarten between the Reichstag and Brandenburger Tor

2) A section of the outer wall, with Spinelli's poem inscribed into a stone panel

3) Closer view of some of the stones that bear the names of many sites related to the persecution of Roma and Sinti victims. Visible in this image, the names of the Vernichtungslager (extermination camp) at Sobibor and the major Konzentrationslager (concentration camp) at Krakau-Plaszow, made infamous in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List"

4-5) Two views of the water feature, with the central stone - represented by a Winkel (triangular insignia worn in the camps) which the Zigeuener ("gypsies") were forced to wear in the concentration camp system



Gaunt face
dead eyes
cold lips
quiet
a broken heart
out of breath
without words
no tears

Santino Spinelli

[CARL]

Thread below addressing the ZL - Zigeunerlager (Gypsy Camp) established at Lety, in the south of occupied Bohemia

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/konzen...p-lety-454494/