I see something you don't see - Sinti:zze and Rom:nja in the view of the TUD

The documentary Gelem Gelem - Wir gehen einen langen Weg by Monika Hielscher and Matthias Heeder follows Rrom_nja families fighting for their right to stay in Germany in the early 1990s. Made between fall 1989 and spring 1991, the film impressively shows the everyday lives, hopes and resistance of around 1,500 people who were threatened with deportation to south-eastern Europe.

The title "We are walking a long road" refers to a story that extends far beyond the documented period: to experiences of exclusion, but also to solidarity, cohesion and self-organization. With public actions, hunger strikes, a protest march through Germany and the occupation of Cologne Cathedral, the families made their situation visible, driven by the desire for security, recognition and a life in dignity.

Following the film, we invite you to a discussion with Isidora Randjelović from RomaniPhen e.V. and inirromnja. Together we will talk about the historical background of the film, about racism and political struggles, but above all about perspectives of self-empowerment, memory and today's follow-up questions.

15.04.2026 18.30 Klemperer Saal SLUB

Think far ahead, because the monument is already standing.
Gndin dur, kaj o monumento lace si kothe.

Workshop on the persecution and extermination of Roma* and Sinti* under National Socialism with artistic practices

with Stefanie Busch (artist), Renáta Horváthová and Kathrin Krahl from the Antiziganism/Antiromaism Network

The persecution and extermination of Roma* and Sinti* under National Socialism is almost invisible in this city, in Europe. Memorials and monuments had to be fought for, some are falling into disrepair. The Berlin memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe murdered under National Socialism is to make way for an infrastructure project. Dresden is home to one of the larger memorials in Germany commemorating the murder of Sinti* and Roma*: Boxing Ring 9841 - A Memorial to Johann Rukeli Trollmann on the grounds of the Festspielhaus Hellerau. Based on this monument, we will examine architectures and practices of remembrance - the associated struggles, forms and aesthetics. What ideas, thoughts, politics and resistance are needed to remember the persecution and murder of Roma* and Sinti* in the present? The workshop seeks answers.

April 21, 2026, 1-5 pm (location to be announced after registration )

with Renata Horváthová and Kathrin Krahl, Antiziganism/Antiromaism Network

An investigation of the TU Campus on traces of discrimination, persecution and invisibilization of Roma* and Sinti* in the past and present

The city game examines urbanity and anti-Romaism - racism against Roma* and Sinti* - "while walking" across the campus. It raises awareness of the immediate university environment and asks: By whom and for whom was this university designed and built? Where are the traces of past persecution of Sinti* and Roma* under National Socialism? What names do the buildings bear and whose names are not to be found? Who feels excluded or observed here? What could be changed to make the space more "accessible" or "just"?

We start the tour by presenting historical sources from the Münchner Platz memorial site. This learning in and with the urban space has close links to urban artistic practices. We cordially invite you!

May 19, 2026, 1 - 2:30 pm, Meeting point: Foyer of the Münchner Platz Dresden Memorial, Münchner Platz 3, 01187 Dresden, to the left of the Georg Schumann Building's outside staircase

With photographic works by Miklos Deri (photographer, photojournalist, editor)

In his 2015 series Roma Body, he photographed posed, composed portrait pairs of Roma personalities, contrasting the stereotypes about Roma with the real lives of the "models" and their actual position in the world. With these opinion photographs, he showed the absurdity of negative stereotypes. He has taken part in several international exhibitions with his pictures on the subject of Roma, including in Prague and Berlin.

Exhibition venue: tba