zwinger x the forgotten fate
Reading and discussion in cooperation with the Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma
Zwinger 1
Johanna Lenz never learned anything about the genocide of the Sinti and Roma at school. When her history club took part in the Federal President's History Competition on the topic »This far and no further!? Borders in History«, she began to take an interest in this minority. And with great success: her play entitled »Bisterdo destin – The Forgotten Fate of the Sinti and Roma« was among the state winners in Baden-Württemberg and won an outstanding third prize at the federal level.
The play tells the story of Maripen, a schoolgirl who is asked to work on a project about »Borders between people.« In search of a personal approach, she turns to her grandmother Ursita, a Sintezza, who at first hesitates but eventually begins to tell her family history, which she has suppressed for decades.
By reading excerpts from the play and placing them in their historical context, we would like to take a closer look at the history of the Sinti and Roma in Germany this evening and discuss it with representatives of the Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma in Heidelberg.