DAS ANDERE RUSSLAND

MEMORIAL: The fight for historical truth and democracy

Before the end of the Soviet Union, dissidents – among them Andrei Sacharov – founded MEMORIAL in Russia in 1989. MEMORIAL’s aims include reassessing Stalinism and the repression of the Soviet Union, rehabilitating its victims and preserving their history as well as fighting for democracy and human rights. After promising beginnings, MEMORIAL was increasingly threatened by the Putin regime from 2000 onwards and ultimately liquidated following the Russian attack on Ukraine. Many activists were forced to flee from Russia. Nevertheless, MEMORIAL continues its work from exile with determination and great courage. MEMORIAL was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. The exhibition highlights MEMORIAL’s history and engagement for a democratic Russia based on historical truth – instead of propaganda, hatred and lies – but also the state actions under Putin that have sought to suppress its work with legal and official measures, and campaigns of defamation, intimidation, criminalisation and open repression. The exhibition is an unmistakable sign that MEMORIAL will not be intimidated and, despite everything, it will continue its work for a democratic Russia. It shows that despite this brutal repression, there is another Russia and that this Russia needs our solidarity. Original testimony of repression and resistance from MEMORIAL’s collections and archives form the heart of the exhibition. The patron is Minister of State Carsten Schneider, Federal Government Commissioner for East Germany. The exhibition will be shown for the first time in Weimar and will travel from there.

Wed - Mon (Tue closed), 9:30 am - 6 pm