Thursday 30.5.2024 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Memorial to the fallen of the Siemens factories
Hans Hertlein, 1934
Object: Monument to the fallen of the Siemens Factories, Hans Hertlein, 1934,
Meeting point: Nonnendammallee 101-123, corner of Rohrdamm subway station
Who: Prof. Dr. Manfred Hettling (historian, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Olaf Löschke (Chairman of the Historikerlabor e.V. in Berlin)
Controversial question: The huge Siemens memorial with its martial eagle stands on the company’s private property, but is a highly visible feature of the public space on streets, sidewalks and underground stations. Until now, Siemens has been able to defend itself against the current contextualization of this war memorial from the Nazi era. So are “private property, private land” sacrosanct, regardless of how much they interfere with a culture of remembrance that is actually intended for society as a whole? When could residents intervene? Because at this site, where forced laborers were exploited in both the First and Second forced laborers were exploited in both the First and Second World Wars, there are repeated calls for other forms of commemoration is repeatedly called for.
This event is part of the discussion series Fallen Heroes – Democratic Debates at the War Memorial.
“Germany is getting a Veterans’ Day” was the headline in the media in November 2023. This was followed by a discussion about the sense and nonsense of what is understood as “hero worship” commemoration.
When it comes to the culture of remembrance, the Spandau Citadel is naturally involved: the exhibition “Unveiled. Berlin and its monuments” has become a center for the discussion of controversial monuments. We are happy to provide space for an interesting controversy – always on the basis of scientific information, with current references and in a friendly atmosphere.
In this series of talks, we offer the opportunity to learn more about Berlin monuments that were dedicated to generals and soldiers from 1822 to 1989 were dedicated to generals and soldiers and which reveal much about the specifically German development of the public veneration of military personalities. We visit the original objects in the museum, in the new display depot at the Citadel and in public spaces. After a short keynote speech, we invite you to a joint discussion, moderated by museum director Dr. Urte Evert.
