Leipzig (memorial)
Description of commemoration
A very special monument was erected in the green belt along Goethe Street in Leipzig, commemorating the Gypsies who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi regime. It is a memorial site dedicated to at least 280 Gypsies deported from Leipzig, of whom no more than 5 survived. However, the memorial, commemorates not only those murdered in KL Auschwitz, but also over 1,000 forced labourers employed in the arms factory in Leipzig, who were sentenced to “destruction by work.”
The memorial is mounted on a concrete pedestal, which, in turn, is placed in a spot separated from the nearby lawn with granite, yellow pavement with concrete curbs. A sculpture called “The Beaten One” stands on the pedestal. This bronze cast made by Wieland Förster depicts a naked, crouched male figure. His face leans on his right thigh, between his hairless head and legs. The figure presses his right hand under his neck. His left knee is high, above the head, with his right knee much lower, and his back is rounded. The figure has muscular arms and thighs, does not look like a devastated man, but rather a broken, strong man forced to become submissive.
The author’s name is carved at the back, at the bottom of the concrete pedestal. In front of the statue, directly on the pedestal, there is an inscription in German and Romani (Sinti) and the date of the unveiling of the monument. Before the memorial, between the cobblestones, there is a bronze plaque with information in German.
Inscriptions
- Pedestal:
In German/Romani:
Den Sinti und Roma, die Opfer / des nationalistischen / Völkermordes wurden. [niem. – przyp. NG] // I rikerpaske ap i Sinti de Roma, / kei weian maredes an o / manuschengromarepen. [rom. – przyp. NG] // Stadt Leipzig 2003
Translation:
To the Sinti and Roma, who fell victim to the National Socialist genocide. The City of Leipzig 2003.
- Pavement in front of the monument:
In German:
Zwischen 1933 und 1944 wurden zahlreiche / Leipziger Sinti und Roma nach Auschwitz und in / andere Vernichtungslager deportiert und ermordet. / Außerdem wurden Sinti und Roma aus Deutschland / und dem besetzten Europa als Zwangsarbeiter / in Leipziger Rüstungsbetriebe verschleppt, / viele kamen dort um.
Translation:
In the years 1933 to 1944, many Leipzig Gypsies were deported to Auschwitz and other death camps and killed. In addition, many Gypsies from Germany and occupied Europe were brought to Leipzig for forced labour in weapons factories. Many of them died.
Date of the unveiling
March 25, 2003
Author
Wieland Förster
Address
The park almost across the junction of Goethestraße and Ritterstraße
Goethestraße, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Location
51°20’28.8″N 12°22’51.8″E
51.341329, 12.381043
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Materials
http://gedenkorte.sintiundroma.de/index.php?ortID=54
Gallery
