Urgent Alert Requested
Article Title: Delay in Completion of NSU Memorial Sparks Concerns in Cologne
In the heart of Cologne, at the corner of Keupstraße and Schanzenstraße, stands the memorial for victims of racist violence, the NSU memorial. However, as of May 28, 2025, the memorial remains incomplete, with no clear timeline for its completion.
The original design for the memorial, selected in 2016, included an innovative app aimed at educating school classes about the history of racist attacks in Germany. This digital component, intended to be a vital educational tool, is yet to see the light of day.
The delay in the completion of the NSU memorial and its digital part has been a source of disappointment for many in Cologne. The memorial is a significant part of many students' and their families' experiences, and the lack of acknowledgment is concerning.
The lack of funding for a temporary educational site about the NSU is perceived as a lack of commitment to acknowledging and educating about the NSU's impact. The city of Cologne claims there is no money for such a site, a statement that has sparked criticism.
The NSU memorial issue has been covered extensively, with Issue 6/2025 of Politics dedicating a feature to it. The handling of the NSU by German authorities is seen as a symbol of how some people in Cologne have been treated. The delay in the construction of the memorial is considered a shameful handling of the victims of racist violence.
Despite the lack of progress, there is willingness to engage with the NSU's history in parts of civil society. Volunteers are currently carrying out educational work about the NSU's multicultural history in Cologne. However, the current handling of the NSU memorial issue does not reflect this commitment.
There is no specific up-to-date information available regarding the status of the digital component for the NSU memorial in Cologne that allows school classes to learn about the NSU directly. For accurate and current details, contacting the memorial authorities or the city of Cologne's cultural/educational offices might be necessary.
One notable aspect of the NSU memorial is the large poster of investor Gentes associated with it. Yet, the absence of the digital educational component prevents school classes from learning directly about the NSU during visits to Cologne.
As we approach the nail bomb attack anniversary on May 21, the delay in the completion of the NSU memorial continues to be a topic of discussion in Cologne. The memorial, when completed, is expected to begin construction in 2028. Until then, the city awaits the fulfillment of a promise to honour the victims of racist violence.
[1] [Search Result 1] [2] [Search Result 2] [3] [Search Result 3] [5] [Search Result 5]
- The delay in the completion of the NSU memorial, a general news topic in Cologne, has also brought war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice into the discussion, as the memorial's digital component was intended to educate about racist attacks, a grave issue in Germany's history.
- As the NSU memorial issue continues to raise concerns in the political landscape, it has been featured in Issue 6/2025 of Politics, shedding light on broader issues of acknowledging and addressing war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general news concerning the treatment of certain communities in Cologne.
