With a commemorative plaque on the town hall near the cathedral, the city commemorates the first documented evidence of Sinti in Frankfurt from 1417.
It is only two sentences, but they carry considerable historical weight. Since Tuesday, the city of Frankfurt am Main has commemorated the first documented evidence of Sinti in the city from 1417 with a plaque on the exterior façade of the town hall at the cathedral. Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg unveiled the plaque together with Romani Rose, chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. It was designed by sculptor Professor Jürgen Goertz; in addition to the text, symbols of Sinti and Roma culture can also be seen. By installing the plaque, the city is fulfilling a long-standing wish of Sinti and Roma associations to make their more than 600-year history visible in the cityscape. Among those attending the unveiling were Fatima Stieb from the Hesse State Association of Sinti and Roma, Joachim Brenner, Chairman of the Roma Support Association, and Michael Weber, Head of Local Council 1. The musical accompaniment was provided by the Sinti and Roma Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mayor Eskandari-Grünberg pointed out that, on closer inspection, the factual wording of the plaque has far-reaching social significance. It serves as a reminder that Sinti have been part of the city's society since 1417 – as musicians, craftsmen, artists, neighbours and fellow citizens. Sinti and Roma have been an integral part of central locations in Frankfurt city life for centuries. In his speech, Romani Rose recalled that when the Sinti arrived in the 15th century, they were initially welcomed on the basis of a papal letter of accompaniment. However, this attitude quickly changed. As early as 1498, the minority was declared outlaws, banned from residing in the city and forced to live outside the city walls. Both Sinti and Jews were considered heathens and were subjected to social exclusion. The consequences of this deep-rooted antiziganism continue to this day.
National Socialism ultimately led to the murder of around 500,000 Sinti and Roma, said Rose. By installing the memorial plaque, Frankfurt is sending another signal of responsibility and recognising the 600-year history of the minority in the city. It is an expression of respect that had long been denied. The local council also wanted to send a clear signal with the initiative, said its chairman Michael Weber: Sinti and Roma belong to the city. Joachim Brenner also recalled earlier disputes about forms of remembrance and spoke of a change in the city's approach to this part of its history.
The unveiling of the memorial plaque was part of a programme lasting several hours with speeches, music and a film screening in the town hall. The documentary film "Der lange Weg der Sinti und Roma" (The Long Road of the Sinti and Roma) by Adrian Oeser was shown, which deals with the persecution and murder of the minority as well as with continuing racism. In a subsequent discussion, Gianni Jovanovic and Jùlie Halilic reported on their experiences.
A QR code below the plaque provides further information. The memorial plaque thus marks a place of remembrance in the heart of the city and makes visible a history that has long been absent from the public sphere.
