Mahnmal für Sinti und Roma

The hand reaches out from the brick base, its metallic fingers intertwining into a shimmering star formed by flames. The Mahnmal f\u00fcr Sinti und Roma stands as a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded here during the Nazi era. This memorial, situated near the Schwarzgrabenweg, honors the memory of the Roma and Sinti who were victims of the Nazi regime. In the summer of 1940, the Nazis imprisoned a group of Roma and Sinti at the harness racing track in Parsch. They were meant for Auschwitz but delays led to their confinement in Maxglan, a camp near the Schwarzgrabenweg. Over 300 people were held here, forced to work under the oppressive conditions of the Nazis.
The men were subjected to forced labor, many forced to help with the filming of Leni Riefenstahl’s “Tiefland”. In the spring of 1943, the Nazis, in their cruel and systematic persecution, deported the majority of the prisoners to Auschwitz. The memorial serves as a stark reminder of the gruesome fate that awaited them there. The Mahnmal f\u00fcr Sinti und Roma was created in 1985 by the Salzburg artist Zoltan Pap. It symbolizes the resilience of the Roma and Sinti people in the face of persecution and their enduring struggle for recognition and justice. The flames represent the burning of their community and the loss of their loved ones. The hand reaching out reflects the desperate cries of the victims, calling out for recognition and justice.
The memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of fighting against prejudice and hate. The artwork stands as a testament to the resilience of the Roma and Sinti people and the enduring struggle for justice and equality. As you stand before the Mahnmal f\u00fcr Sinti und Roma, take a moment to reflect on the stories of those who were lost. Their memory lives on and the fight for justice continues.