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In the heart of Marzahn, a satellite city of East Berlin, stands a testament to a remarkable life - that of Reimar Gilsenbach. Born on September 16, 1925, Gilsenbach would have turned 100 this year, and his legacy continues to inspire.
Gilsenbach was a writer, journalist, and environmental activist in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). He was also an advocate for the rights of the Sinti and Roma, and before becoming a founding member of the Green Party of the GDR, he served as chief editor of a cultural magazine.
His political independence and critical stance often put him under pressure from the authorities. Yet, Gilsenbach remained steadfast, using his platform to challenge the status quo and advocate for change.
One of his most significant contributions was his work with Agnes S., a Sinto who was interned in the forced labor camp Marzahn since May 1936. Gilsenbach helped Agnes to be recognised as a victim of the Nazi regime, a crucial step towards justice.
The village of Marzahn, replaced by a satellite city in the 1970s, was also the site of a tragic chapter in history. At least 200 Sinti were deported from the forced labor camp Marzahn to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in March 1943. Only seven Sinti survived this deportation.
Among the survivors was Otto Rosenberg, father of the pop singer Marianne Rosenberg. Gilsenbach's efforts extended to helping Otto and others like him, playing a role in bringing a child from a Sinti family back to his parents.
Gilsenbach's interest in ecological questions was awakened through his work at the Kulturbund magazine "Nature and Homeland." This interest led him to become a member of the Central Commission for Nature and Homeland of the Kulturbund and in the Central Board of the Society for Nature and Environment until 1989.
In 1981, Gilsenbach initiated the "Brodowin Talks," a movement that aimed to reform the GDR system. His work as a bestselling author and his engagement in human rights and environmental issues continue to resonate today.
On September 20, 2025, the Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance will remember Reimar Gilsenbach with readings, discussions, and concerts at the Mark Twain Library in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. As we honour his life and legacy, we are reminded of the power of one person to make a difference.
Gilsenbach's spirit lives on, not just in the chestnut trees that stand a few hundred meters away from the cemetery in Marzahn, but in every heart that dares to challenge the status quo and strive for a better world.
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