A single stone rises from the dark water. This is the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism. It’s a powerful and moving site. It sits quietly in Berlin’s Tiergarten a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.
The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism was a long time coming. The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma and the German Sinti Alliance pushed for its creation. The German government finally agreed in 1992. There were delays and disagreements. Berlin initially wanted a less prominent location. The current site near other Holocaust memorials was finally agreed upon in 2001. Construction only began in 2008.
The memorial itself is designed by Israeli artist Dani Karavan. It is a dark circular pool of water. At its center sits a triangular stone. This shape is a reference to the badges worn by concentration camp prisoners. A fresh flower adorns the stone each day.
The pool’s edge bears a poem. It’s called Auschwitz. It’s written by Roma poet Santino Spinelli. The poem is written in German English Vlax Romani and Sinte Romani. It’s a poignant reminder of the suffering endured. The poem reads Gaunt face dead eyes cold lips quiet a broken heart out of breath without words no tears.
Information boards surround the pool. They provide a chronology of the genocide of the Sinti and Roma. The genocide is known as the Porajmos. It resulted in the deaths of an estimated 220000 to 500000 people. The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism opened in 2012. Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck attended the ceremony. The cost of the memorial was 2.8 million euros.
The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism is more than just a monument. It is a place of reflection. It is a place of remembrance. It serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of National Socialism is a vital part of Berlin’s historical landscape. It ensures that the victims of the Porajmos are never forgotten. It’s a quiet but powerful testament to their suffering. It’s a vital symbol of remembrance and reconciliation.