Berlin, Germany – 1-2 February 2024

On Thursday, 1st February, we were at the Bundestag in Berlin, participating in a specialised discussion titled “European Perspective of Commemorating and Remembering the Victims of Communism.”
President Marek Mutor presented the activities of the Platform and introduced the Pan-European Memorial for the Victims of Totalitarianism in Brussels project to the audience. Engaging in constructive conversations about European remembrance across different nations is paramount to strengthening the resilience of democracy.
This crucial discussion was organised by the Federal Parliamentary Commissioner for Victims of the SED Dictatorship, Evelyn Zupke. She leads various initiatives supporting victims of the SED dictatorship and political violence in the Soviet Zone of Occupation in East Germany.
Ms Zupke stressed, “We need an honest discussion on totalitarianism in Europe and […] European Remembrance needs many points of view.”
Among the attendees were Uwe Neumärker, Director of the StiftungDenkmal – FoundationMemorial; Anna Kaminsky, Director of the Bundesstiftung zur Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur, and Elisabeth Motschmann, Advisory Board member of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS). From the Bundestag’s Culture and Media Committee, Katrin Budde skillfully moderated the conversation.
Ms Budde said, “Culture of remembrance is a task for the whole of society […] for the whole of Europe”.
Many pertinent comments were made during the discussion that undoubtedly developed the project. We are pleased with the presence of representatives of many institutions, especially our sister network, European Network Remembrance and Solidarity and Professor Jan Rydel ENRS Steering Committee member, also took part in the general discussion.
Post-discussion, there was an opportunity for informal discussions and a presentation outlining the architectural concepts of the Memorial by Tszwai So and Wojtek Bednarski.
We have distributed educational materials, including the book “Lest We Forget” and the game “Across the Iron Curtain.” Additionally, attendees received an “An Echo in Time” catalogue showcasing the Memorial’s design.

We’re thrilled to share photos and the full debate recording at the Bundestag TV.

 

Photos and recordings thanks to courtesy of German Bundestag /Team Zupke

 

On Friday, February 2nd, we participated in the discussion titled “Unveiling the Concept for the Pan-European Memorial for Victims of Totalitarianism in Brussels” at the Pilecki-Institut in Berlin.
During this event, we had the opportunity to present our project, the Memorial, to the audience. Designer Tszwai So shared captivating insights into the Memorial’s visionary design, offering a glimpse into the creative journey that birthed this remarkable project. President Marek Mutor conveyed why this initiative holds such immense significance for Europe and common European Remembrance.
Following the presentations, a lively panel discussion unfolded, featuring Platform’s team, including Marek Mutor, Wojtek Bednarski, and Tszwai So, alongside distinguished panellists like Andrii Portnov from the Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt and Florian Mausbach, former longstanding President of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) and Krista-Marija Läbe from Vitsche Berlin.
Among the many poignant insights shared was the recognition that the Memorial has the potential to become a cornerstone of remembrance, offering solace and reconciliation of various pasts and grievances. Discussants emphasized that while museums and similar institutions are essential, a monument whose significance transcends the museum sphere cannot be replaced.
The event drew participants from diverse European countries, each keenly interested in the specific scope of the project, particularly in relation to the histories of countries closely associated with them. Numerous pertinent questions were posed, reflecting the depth of engagement and interest. Such engaging discussions are invaluable, providing us with a deeper understanding of varied perspectives and helping refine our approach!

 

 

 

The opportunity to participate in both events was possible thanks to the support of the Polish National Foundation!