Düsseldorf memorial for persecuted LGBTQI+ members unveiled
It has been reported for a long time, now it stands and can be viewed by everyone: The Düsseldorf memorial for diversity and in memory of LGBTQI+ persecuted people was unveiled. In the end, the design by Claus Richter won the bid. The city on the Rhine is now richer by another sign for diversity and tolerance.
However, the memorial is intended to allow not only a look into the past, but also a look into the future and a reflection of the present. The work of art stands in a prominent place between the well-known Apollo Varieté Theater and the KIT. This is an area that, among other things, is also passed by many tourists. Accordingly, it should be difficult to overlook the memorial.
A ceremonial unveiling in Düsseldorf
As befits a work of art with a high degree of expressiveness, the new Düsseldorf memorial was ceremoniously unveiled. Among others, the city's mayor, Stephan Keller, was also present.
And although the design of the artwork had now been known for some time, it became comparatively quickly apparent that the special message of the memorial could now be underlined even more clearly by its impressive presence.
What does the new Düsseldorf memorial look like?
The design of the memorial is simple and yet very expressive. A total of four bronze figures can be seen, stretching their fists towards the sky and looking boldly into the distance. The message seems clear: here people fight for more tolerance, more diversity and justice.
It is dedicated to all those who belong or belonged to the LGBTQI+ community and were currently or previously discriminated against because of it, for example by becoming victims of homophobic violence. Accordingly, the memorial is intended to make a statement for more diversity and against hate.
And even though the artwork deals with the history of the LGBTQI+ community in Düsseldorf in the first step, there is certainly nothing to say against transferring the values that this memorial is meant to support to the community worldwide.
The attitude of the four people also shows that queers and all those who fight for them have become more self-confident over time. And indeed: whoever becomes a victim of homophobic violence today - in whatever form - does not have to surrender in their victim role. In many cities (and of course on the internet) there are offers of help and support from which those affected can benefit.
On the history of the memorial in Düsseldorf
Of course, the memorial, which has now been standing in Düsseldorf for a few days, also has a history of its creation. Within the framework of a competition (over two stages), a call was made to send in proposals. The project was supervised by the cultural committee and quickly managed to attract media attention.
Certainly also due to the fact that in the meantime many countries and cities have recognized how important it is to remember that queers must never again be persecuted (as, for example, in the times of National Socialism), but that even in our current, modern times much still needs to be done in order to really be able to speak of complete equality, there are now considerations to erect memorials in further places.
However, the messages that are disseminated with the various works of art could then certainly differ in detail. Much is possible here on the basis of artistic freedom. It remains to be seen whether - as in Düsseldorf - a largely self-confident view of the community will then be taken or whether, for example, purely reflective tones will be struck.
Soon there will be new episodes of "Take me Out" the gay version.