Silent screams echo within the metal of Wir haben Gesichter. This memorial stands as a stark reminder of violence against women. It is located in Viktoriapark in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
Wir haben Gesichter translates to “We have faces.” The memorial directly addresses the issue of rape. It serves as a place of remembrance for all women who have suffered this trauma.
In March 2002, a woman was raped by two men near this very spot. This horrific event spurred the creation of Wir haben Gesichter. It became part of a larger campaign with the same name. The memorial was erected in the night of May 20 to May 21 in 2005.
Look closely at the two-meter-high metal stele. It depicts a stylized woman’s head. Her mouth is wide open in a silent scream. The eyes, eyebrows, and chin are cut out of the metal. This emphasizes the raw emotion of the piece.
Notice the inscriptions. The stele itself bears a powerful message in capital letters. It declares: “Wir haben Gesichter. Wir haben Augen. Wir haben Hände und Fäuste. Wir haben Namen. Wir haben Herzen. Wir haben Träume. Wir haben Tränen. Wir haben Lachen. Wir haben Zorn. Wir leben trotzdem. Wir kämpfen für Frauenmacht und Gerechtigkeit.” It translates to: “We have faces. We have eyes. We have hands and fists. We have names. We have hearts. We have dreams. We have tears. We have laughter. We have anger. We live anyway. We fight for women’s power and justice.”
A triangular platform is mounted on the stele. It bears a longer inscription in white letters on a light brown background. It recounts the rape that occurred here. The text condemns male violence and misogyny. It calls for solidarity, resistance, and public awareness. It urges everyone to intervene and say no to violence.
Wir haben Gesichter is more than just a memorial. It is a call to action. It reminds us that violence against women is a pervasive problem. It happens everywhere and most often in the home. The memorial connects this violence to the patriarchy and sexism. It is a monument to feminist resistance.
The artist behind Wir haben Gesichter remains unknown. Their anonymity adds to the universality of the message. It emphasizes that this is not about one person’s vision. It’s about a collective struggle.
Take a moment to reflect on the power of this place. Consider the courage of the woman who was attacked. Honor the countless other women who have suffered similar fates. Let Wir haben Gesichter inspire you to speak out against violence and inequality. Remember that we all have faces. We all have a voice and we must use it to fight for a better world.