Jürgen Zimmerer

Jürgen Zimmerer, a Professor of Global History and head of Hamburg’s post-colonial legacy research center, discusses pivotal themes from his book on German memory culture. He challenges the notion of 'ownership' in historical narratives, advocating for diverse perspectives. Zimmerer connects German memory debates to global conservative backlash, reflects on identity shifts post-unification, and emphasizes including migrant histories. He warns against the risks of Staatsräson on free expression and calls for opening public debate by acknowledging shared suffering.

Jürgen Zimmerer, a Professor of Global History at the University of Hamburg and expert on German colonialism, dives into the complexities of modern German memory culture. He discusses the notion of 'ownership' in historical debates and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive historical narrative that reflects Germany's diverse population. Zimmerer also connects German memory wars to global cultural conflicts, critiques nationalistic misuses of history, and advocates for recognizing shared suffering across communities to foster empathy and open dialogue.

Jürgen Zimmerer, editor of a provocative volume on German memory, discusses the diverse landscape of German memory, the shift in Germany's historical consciousness after unification, the need for a new German historical consciousness that includes migrant experiences, the concept of Stadts-Rison and its impact on public discourse, and the tensions surrounding historical consciousness and anti-Semitism in Germany.