What happened?
A shocking performance has crossed the boundaries of respect!
The vocal performance "An Uninterpreted Dream is Like an Unread Letter" by Olaf Nicolai took place in the former Synagogue Stommeln, working exclusively with problematic, pre-linguistic sounds:
- Animal sounds: Cooing, bubbling, snorting – sounds that were historically misused to dehumanize Jews
- Lamenting sounds: Pleading whimpering that reactivates antisemitic clichés of "Jewish lamenting"
- Mystifying incomprehensibility: Pre-linguistic sounds that reinforce prejudices about "foreign Jewish practices"
Years of Jewish life in Stommeln – destroyed by the Holocaust
Kristallnacht – numerous Synagogues destroyed
Antisemitism at highest level since 1949
This performance exemplifies how unreflected art can reactivate centuries-old antisemitic stereotypes – even unintentionally!
Video Documentation of the Performance
For your own assessment, here is the recording of the problematic performance in the former Synagogue Stommeln.
This documentation stands in the context of critical engagement with unreflected art at memorial sites. It should enable an objective evaluation of the performance.
Expert Opinions are Clear
Lack of Willingness to Engage in Dialogue
Despite repeated attempts to establish contact and offering a confidential dialogue regarding the vocal performance "An Uninterpreted Dream is Like an Unread Letter," both our direct inquiries and the enclosed letter to the Mayor of the City of Pulheim have remained without any substantive response to date.
Our Open Letter to Mayor Keppeler
Based on the expert opinions, we have drafted a formal open letter to Mayor Keppeler.
The letter demands concrete measures to protect Synagogue Stommeln and all Jewish memorial sites from unreflected art projects. It can be used as a basis for your own correspondence.
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Example: This is Georg Imdahl's article in the FAZ praising the performance "An Uninterpreted Dream is Like an Unread Letter": Cooing, Bubbling, Snorting and Whimpering
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Why is Synagogue Stommeln so special?
The former Synagogue Stommeln is a unique memorial and meeting place of Jewish history. It stands not only for 200 years of Jewish life, but also for engagement with the past and everyone's responsibility for a living culture of remembrance.
Its special atmosphere and intensive engagement with art and history have inspired artists for decades. They have made the synagogue a significant place for dialogue, reflection and mutual respect across religious, cultural and social boundaries.
- The former Synagogue Stommeln is a memorial site of Jewish history and Holocaust survivors
- 200 years of Jewish life was extinguished here by Nazi terror
- At such places, the highest degree of respect and historical reflection is required
- Artistic freedom alone is not enough here – social responsibility is crucial!
Our Demands to Mayor Keppeler and the City of Pulheim
Public Statement
Clear statement on the antisemitic stereotypes of the performance to strengthen trust and credibility
Binding Review Standards
All art projects must be examined for antisemitism-critical and historical sensitivity
Include Jewish Expertise
Early and binding participation of Jewish experts in all projects
Create Transparency
Open communication and public discussion about all art projects
Complete Documentation
Full archiving and mandatory evaluation discussions after projects
Proactive Error Culture
In case of conflict: immediate communication, reflection and corrections if necessary