A Semra-Ertan-Platz for St. Pauli

20.5.2023 – Commemoration of the 41st anniversary of Semra Ertan’s death

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It’s time for a Semra-Ertan-Platz in St. Pauli! On the 41st anniversary of her death, we commemorate Semra Ertan and demand that a square be named after the poet, activist and worker.

As early as 41 years ago, Semra Ertan was outraged by the rampant racism against migrants, refugees and marginalized people in Germany. As a child of so-called „guest workers“, she also experienced exclusion and devaluation in the labor market and in everyday life. Semra Ertan was an activist pioneer in the fight against the inhumane working conditions of migrant workers and their lack of recognition. Her voice stands for the many resistant stories, biographies and longings that need to belong in the collective memory.

Semra Ertan translated the collective experiences of this generation into the universal language of poetry. She wrote over 350 poems. Some were published in anthologies during her lifetime, but it was not until 38 years after her death, in 2020, that the book of poems „Mein Name ist Ausländer – Benim Adım Yabancı“ („My Name is Foreigner“) came out. Semra Ertan protested against rampant racism and discrimination. In order to shake the public awake, she burned herself publicly at the age of 25 on 26 May 1982 at the intersection of Simon-von-Utrecht-Straße/Detlev-Bremer-Straße (St. Pauli, Hamburg).
„The Germans should be ashamed of themselves… and reflect about my death.“

In order to keep this reflection on Semra Ertan, her poetic work and her political struggle alive and to make it visible and audible in the cityscape, a commemorative event will take place on Saturday, May 20.

Commemoration also needs a place
Semra Ertan is a part of Hamburg’s history. We demand a Semra Ertan Square in St. Pauli: a place of remembrance where we can remember Semra Ertan. A place to unlearn discrimination, to resist racist, anti-Semitic and right-wing violence and to learn to live together in solidarity.

W e will meet on 20.05.2023 at 3 p.m. at Simon-von-Utrecht-Straße / Detlev-Bremer-Straße to lay flowers at the temporary memorial plaque. Afterwards we will pass the future Semra Ertan Square and then gather in Arrivati Park to read from Semra Ertan’s poems and exchange ideas about the importance of the visibility of anti-racist struggles in the city.

To remember is to fight.
For a multi-perspective culture of remembrance.

Initiative in memory of Semra Ertan, April 2023