Recollection in Brief: A Small Account of Memories
Bremen's Anti-Colonial Monument Rededicated to Remember German Colonial Atrocities
In a significant move towards acknowledging and remembering Germany's colonial past, the anti-colonial monument in Bremen has been rededicated. The monument, originally built in 1932 as the Reichs-Kolonialdenkmal, now serves as a powerful reminder of German colonial atrocities, particularly the genocide committed against Namibians during German colonial rule in the early 20th century.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, with participation from IG Metall Youth, apprentices from the Mercedes Benz plant, and members of the support association "The Elephant." Jerome Geisinger, youth secretary of IG Metall Bremen, emphasized that they see themselves as pioneers in the process of rededicating the monument.
The new commemorative plaque, placed on the monument, draws attention to German colonialism. Virginie Kamche from the Bremen Africa Network believes the new plaque is an important step towards addressing history that has been repressed. The new plaque replaces the old one, which was weathered and defaced with marker, necessitating a restoration.
The anti-colonial monument engages the public in reflecting on historical injustices and their lasting legacies. It opposes the traditional nationalistic monuments and instead serves as a critical counter-memory, emphasizing accountability and healing for colonized peoples. Every year in August, the victims of the genocide against the Herero and Nama in today's Namibia are remembered at the site of the anti-colonial monument.
The monument's rededication as the anti-colonial monument took place in 1989, following the placement of the first commemorative plaque by IG Metall Youth in 1988. The brass-framed plaque on the trade union house with the inscription "Respect - no place for racism" was placed there on the initiative of the IG Metall Youth.
Kamche hopes that the new plaque will promote stronger exchange with people from Africa and provide more perspectives on colonialism. She sees the monument as a piece of memory and a reminder, a critical space for remembering, educating, and contesting the legacy of colonialism in Germany. The inauguration of the new plaque is part of IG Metall Youth's tradition of taking responsibility for remembering racism and fascism.
The IG Metall Youth renovated and placed the original memorial "Never again war - Never again fascism" on the Stadtwerder in front of the Lidice House in 2019. The monument's renovation and the addition of the new commemorative plaque signify a continued commitment to remembering and acknowledging Germany's dark colonial past.
The anti-colonial monument in Bremen, a powerful reminder of German colonial atrocities, has become a significant part of the city's home-and-garden and lifestyle, serving as a critical space for public reflection on historical injustices and their lasting legacies. Each year in August, the monument is a site of commemoration for the victims of German colonial rule in Namibia, advocating for accountability and healing for colonized peoples.
The inauguration of the new commemorative plaque, a crucial step towards addressing repressed history, underscores IG Metall Youth's tradition of taking responsibility for remembering racism and fascism, while signifying a continued commitment to enriching Bremen's lifestyle with educational and thought-provoking home-and-garden installations.
