In the City of the Perpetrator: Commemorating the Victims in Chemnitz, once known for a Notorious Criminal Group
The Chemnitz NSU Documentation Center, a unique institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims of the National Socialist Underground (NSU) terrorism, has opened its doors to the public. Located in Chemnitz, Germany, the center is currently hosting an exhibition titled "Open process" at Johannisplatz 8, which delves into the complexities of migration, racism, and right-wing terrorism, as well as the resistance against such violence.
The center, which has been operational since May, is the result of many years of tireless efforts by civil society and is supported by the Saxony state parliamentary budget, federal funds from the German government's culture agency, and the City of Chemnitz. The local population has shown interest in the center, with many Chemnitz residents attending evening events.
One of the key exhibits in the center is a wall that bears the demand, "No final line!", a plea from the bereaved that the center continues its work. The center serves as a commemorative and educational institution, a place to remember the victims and educate on the consequences of right-wing extremist violence.
One of the victims memorialized at the center is Mehmed Kubaşık, the eighth victim of the NSU murder series that took place between 2000 and 2007. His daughter, Gamze, stated that the opening of the center was long overdue. Lydia Lierke, who works at the Chemnitz NSU Documentation Centre, was moved by seeing the watch and mobile phone belonging to Mehmed Kubaşık.
The center has an extensive program for visitors, including readings, guided tours, and a digital memorial site. It also plans to launch an app offering new visual access to remembrance in the style of street art and print graphics. In September, the center will host a scientific symposium on "NSU terrorism and authoritarian tendencies of the present."
The center has already attracted around 5000 visitors in just over two months, with many being visitors to Chemnitz as the European Capital of Culture. It is currently funded until the end of 2026, but its future beyond that time is uncertain. The center remains a relevant place to remember the victims and educate on the consequences of right-wing extremist violence, serving as a beacon of hope in the fight against hatred and intolerance.
[References] [1] Chemnitz NSU Documentation Center website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nsu-gedenkstaette-chemnitz.de/ [3] The Local. (2018, May 17). Chemnitz unveils NSU memorial centre. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20180517/chemnitz-unveils-nsu-memorial-centre
The Chemnitz NSU Documentation Center, despite focusing on the memory of the victims of the National Socialist Underground (NSU) terrorism, also covers related topics such as politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice through its exhibits and events. For instance, an upcoming scientific symposium will delve into "NSU terrorism and authoritarian tendencies of the present." Additionally, the center's app, offering visual access to remembrance in the style of street art and print graphics, could potentially provide insights into the current state of crime-and-justice and right-wing extremism.
