“Das Tor von Auschwitz war der Eingang zur Hölle” This inscription on the gate-shaped memorial before us speaks volumes. We stand at the Mahnmal für das Sammellager Altwarmbüchener Moor. This memorial commemorates the Sinti who were interned here during the Nazi regime. From this place they were later deported to extermination camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The Mahnmal für das Sammellager Altwarmbüchener Moor isn’t just a monument. It’s a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history. It stands as a testament to the suffering of the Sinti people. Their forced internment in this very spot shows the systematic persecution they endured.
The oldest known record of Sinti in Germany dates back to 1407. This early presence contrasts sharply with the later discrimination they faced. The persecution escalated in the 15th century. Sinti were often viewed with prejudice and hatred because of their nomadic lifestyle. This prejudice intensified during the Nazi era.
In Hanover in 1770 five members of a “Gypsy and robber gang” were sentenced to death for theft. Even before the Holocaust some Sinti achieved modest prosperity. They worked as horse traders entertainers musicians or antique dealers. Yet this success didn’t shield them from persecution.
In 1900 the German Empire implemented policies that discriminated against Roma and Sinti. The city of Hanover even established a gathering place for them. This foreshadowed the creation of the Altwarmbüchener Moor camp.
During the Weimar Republic Hanover had several designated spots for Sinti and Roma caravans. One was even nicknamed “Gypsy village”. Some Sinti lived in the city center in areas like the Old Town or Calenberger Neustadt. The famous boxer Johann “Rukeli” Trollmann lived among them.
The persecution of the Sinti worsened significantly under the Nazis. Their oppression intensified building upon existing discrimination. The Nazis implemented forced sterilizations based on a 1933 law.
In 1938 a large-scale arrest wave swept across Germany. The “vagrants” were sent to various concentration camps. The Nazis conducted a complete census of Sinti and Roma. This was part of Himmler’s decree to combat the “Gypsy plague”. The local police Gestapo and administrative offices coordinated the measures.
The Altwarmbüchener Moor camp was established in 1938. Initially only Sinti living on designated sites were sent there. By late October/early November 1938 55 Sinti were interned in Hanover.
In 1939 a special office for “Gypsy affairs” was set up in Hanover. This office played a crucial role in the persecution. Sinti who worked in itinerant trades were stripped of their livelihoods. The Reich Security Main Office ordered the internment of Sinti in special camps pending deportation.
By 1941 and 1942 most Sinti and Roma across Germany had been deported to concentration camps. In Hanover those living in rented apartments were also sent to the city’s camp. They lived in old railway carriages.
On April 1st 1943 the Altwarmbüchener Moor camp was raided. Families were forcibly transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Of the approximately 23000 Sinti and Roma from across Germany deported there few survived.
Research suggests at least 750 Sinti and Roma from Lower Saxony were deported to Auschwitz in March 1943. About 100 were from Hanover including 27 from the Altwarmbüchener Moor camp. From March 1943 to February 1944 at least 113 Sinti were deported from Hanover. More than half were children.
The Mahnmal stands as a stark reminder of this tragedy. It’s a symbol of remembrance a powerful testament to the victims. It serves as a constant warning against the dangers of prejudice and hatred. The names on the memorial are a silent yet potent cry for justice and reconciliation. Let us never forget.