Chronology

Presentation of the development of the "monument" complex since 1934.

Im „Tansania Park“ zeigt sich exemplarisch, wie schwer sich Hamburg mit seiner kolonialen Vergangenheit tut. Denkmalgeschützt und abgeschlossen hinter einem Zaun stehen in Hamburg-Jenfeld das „Deutsch-Ostafrika-Kriegerdenkmal“ (fälschlicherweise „Askari-Reliefs“ genannt) und das „Schutztruppen-Ehrenmal“, in direkter Nähe zum Gelände der ehemaligen Lettow-Vorbeck-Kaserne mit sieben kolonialen Porträtreliefs an den Gebäudefassaden. Die beiden in der NS-Zeit errichteten Reliefs, die einst den Kaserneneingang flankierten, würdigen Deutschlands koloniale Vergangenheit und propagieren die angebliche „Treue der Askari“. Das Wort „Askari“ bezeichnete afrikanische Söldner in der deutschen „Schutztruppe“, in diesem Fall in der Kolonie „Deutsch-Ostafrika“. Eng damit verbunden ist der Mythos um den General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, der hier zum unbesiegten kolonialen Kriegshelden verklärt wird. Das Denkmalensemble wurde 2003 ohne Genehmigung auseinandergerissen und im neu geschaffenen „Tansania Park“ aufgestellt. Nach zwei Jahrzehnten einer anhaltenden Debatte über Hamburgs Umgang mit seiner kolonialen Vergangenheit und trotz massiver Kritik stehen sie weiterhin, in ihrer problematischen Bildsprache ungebrochen, nahe ihrem ursprünglichen Ort. 

 
Not much has happened on the site since it was built in 2003. There is no adequate contextualization, which is why the city decided to close the park. You can find out exactly what happened and when here.
1934

Construction of the Lettow-Vorbeck and Von-Estorff barracks.

Photo: View of large square Von-Estorff-Kaserne around 1940 (hamburg-bildarchiv.de)

1938

Das Deutsch-Ostafrika-Kriegerdenkmal (fälschlicherweise "Askari-Reliefs") werden von Walter Ruckteschell errichtet.

1939

Inauguration of the reliefs in the presence of Paul Lettow Vorbeck.

Photo: View of the entrance to the Lettow-Vorbeck barracks around 1940 (hamburg-bildarchiv.de)

1945

The Bundeswehr moves into the barracks. The name is retained.

1966

Addition of another plaque to the "Schutztruppen Ehrenmal"

1973/1974

The two barracks are merged and continue to operate under the name "Lettow-Vorbeck-Kaserne".

1999

The Bundeswehr leaves the site in the course of disarmament.

1999

The former barracks becomes a dormitory for students of the Bundeswehr University

1999

The Bund für Denkmalerhaltung e.V. is storing the reliefs.

The Kulturkreis Jenfeld then reclaims it, which they succeed in doing with the support of the city.

2002

The district of Wandsbek convenes a board of trustees.

The first meeting of the board of trustees takes place in order to develop a suitable concept. Members come from the Collaborative Research Center (SFB), Kulturkreis Jenfeld e.V., the University of Hamburg, the University of the Federal Armed Forces, the Museum of Ethnology Hamburg, the Senate Authority, the One World Network and the Honorary Consul of Tanzania.

2003

Board of Trustees disagrees and disbands.

05.09.2003

Unofficial opening of the so-called Tanzania Park.

2004

100th anniversary of the genocide of the Herero and Nama.

The Society for Threatened Peoples demonstrates in Tanzania Park.

2005

100th anniversary of the suppression of the Mai Maji Uprising.

Hamburg history workshops demonstrate against commemorative rituals by traditional associations.

2010

The twinning of Hamburg and Dar es Saalam, Tanzania, is established.

2011

50th anniversary of Tanzania's independence.

Tour of the park entitled "Barracks echoes: resistance and reverberations" is aborted by the police.

2013

Request of the citizenship:

Report by the Culture Committee on "Reappraisal of the 'colonial heritage' - a new start in the culture of remembrance, including the partnership with Dar es Salaam".

2014

The Hamburg Senate decides to launch a program to come to terms with the city's colonial heritage.

2014

Round table in the town hall:

The One World Network and the Postcolonial Working Group invite you to the first round table in the town hall.

2014

New research center at the University of Hamburg.

Foundation of the research centre "Hamburg's (post-) colonial heritage - Hamburg and (early) globalization" under Jürgen Zimmerer.

2016

New city district is being built on the barracks site.

Conversion of part of the barracks into a new district. The "Jenfelder Au" is opened.

Oktober 2023

Symposium: "Tanzania Park - An Approach"

Salon International e. V. is organizing an action day with lectures, tours and a play.

Januar 2024

Salon International e. V. founds Tansania Park AG.

07. September 2024

Tag des offenen Denkmals

Der Salon International e. V. veranstaltet einen Aktionstag mit Rundgängen, einem Panel und einem Konzert mit anschließenden Film-Screening in Kooperation mit der W3 und dem B-Movie.

13. Oktober 2024

Symposium "Von Denkmälern und Widerstand: Die unsichtbare Seite der Geschichte"

Das zweite Symposium findet mit einem Rundgang, einem Vortrag und Workshops statt. Abschließend präsentieren KCC und Jenkitos ein im Austausch entstandenes Theaterstück.

The name "Tanzania Park" raises many critical questions, especially about its origins and the actors involved. The fact that it was chosen without involving Tanzanian partners or members of the Tanzanian diaspora in Germany raises legitimate concerns. In addition, the name has a colonial connotation. This can be perceived as offensive.
 
Despite these concerns and criticisms, the term "Tanzania Park" will continue to be used as a proper noun in this context in order to emphasize its importance in the current debate and to promote discussion about the need for sensitive and respectful naming in the public perception.
 
In addition, the name is used in the district and is colloquially understood as such. For the sake of simplicity, we have therefore decided to continue using the term as an auxiliary term, but remain open to alternative suggestions. The term is representative of the processual nature of our project. 
Disclaimer: Racist motifs and imagery of the National Socialists are shown on this site. Our aim is in no way to spread any ideologies, but to promote a profound understanding of historical events and their effects.
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