Erinnerung, Austausch und Perspektiven – Roma, Sinti und Jenische in Köln-Ehrenfeld

Action and culture day

Fri, September 19, 2025 - 17:00: Film interviews - exchange - games & sports - music | 20:00: Film screening

Allerweltshaus Köln e.V. Geisselstraße 3-5 50823 Cologne

Free admission - donations are welcome!

On this late summer Friday, we are delighted to be working with Allerweltshaus Köln, Mobile Urban Cinema and Maro Drom to bring people together - in cooperation with the Central Council of Yenish and representatives of the Sinti Alliance.

We are excited to work with these communities and to bring their perspectives visibly into the social discourse.

History and background

The Yenish, a group of non-sedentary people, have experienced marginalization and persecution since the Middle Ages - culminating in the Holocaust and the "Kinderwegnahmen" until the 1970s. Unlike in Switzerland, they are still not recognized as a minority in Germany. The Yenish language - with elements of Yiddish, Romani and other Romance languages - strengthens the cultural cohesion of this community. Just like the Sinti and Roma, the Yenish also have a long history in Cologne. An occasion to celebrate together - and to remember.

German Sinte families have been rooted in Cologne for generations. In 1935, they were interned by the Nazis on Schwarz-Weiß-Platz in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. From there, many people were deported to various ghettos and concentration camps. The survivors returned to the Schwarz-Weiß-Platz in Cologne-Ehrenfeld after the war.

Krystiane Vajda and Markus Reinhardt have conducted video interviews with some of the survivors.

Two of the eyewitness interviews will be shown at the event. There will be music from the Markus Reinhardt Ensemble and information about the life of the Sinte in Cologne and, of course, culinary delights for body and soul.

Aim of the event

We celebrate cultural heritage, make historical experiences visible and create spaces for exchange. Exchange and encounters are central to us: Only by experiencing, discussing and visualizing history together can understanding, solidarity and an intact society be created - entirely in the spirit of Allerweltshaus Köln e.V.

Program highlights

From 5 p.m. - Courtyard of the Allerweltshaus:

• Film interviews with Auschwitz survivors, their descendants and contemporary witnesses
• Talks, games, sport, fun and culinary delights
• Music: Markus Reinhardt Ensemble

From 8 p.m. - Film screening:

• Swiss documentary "Ruäch" about the everyday life, language and culture of the European Yenish people
• Introduction: Martti Zeyer, Central Council of the Yenish
• A film about the wounds of the past and the love of freedom, from the suburbs of Savoy to the forests of Carinthia

Contribution to global goals

The event promotes SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (global partnerships) by connecting local perspectives with global issues and strengthening the voices of marginalized communities.

Part of the project "Postcolonial Perspectives"

This event is part of the project that, together with migrant self-organizations, activistsand experts, opens up new spaces for exchange, makes historical experiences visible and focuses on global connections.

We look forward to seeing you!

Visitors - families, committed people and the curious - are cordially invited. It is a special opportunity: As a former refugee shelter for Roma and Sinti, the Allerweltshaus has a turbulent history that we are taking up in order to create better coexistence together for the future. The focus is on exchange and encounters at eye level - bring your hunger and curiosity!

An event organized by:
Allerweltshaus Köln, Mobile Urban Cinema, Sinti Allianz Deutschland e.V., Zentralrat der Jenischen Deutschland, Maro Drom Köln-Sinti and Roma e.V.

Supported by Stiftung Umwelt & Entwicklung + City of Cologne, Cultural Office & District Government Ehrenfeld