News

“15 years on – remembering in the context of the NSU’s self-disclosure in Zwickau”

The year 2026 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the self-uncovering of the right-wing terrorist group NSU. On November 4, 2011, a residential building in Zwickau burned down in connection with a failed bank robbery in Eisenach.

What began as a routine investigation into the cause of the fire developed over the course of a few days into a turning point in post-war German history: the burnt-down house was the last hiding place of a neo-Nazi terrorist network that had been carrying out murder attacks and bombings unhindered for many years.

A few had suspected this for some time, but had hardly been listened to: The relatives of the murder victims had repeatedly pointed out that the attacks could have been racially motivated.

But instead of taking these tips seriously, the investigating authorities treated them as prime suspects in the crimes. It took the NSU’s self-produced confession DVD to make investigators, the media and mainstream society realize the seriousness of the situation.

1. target

The aim of the residency is to promote a critical examination of the NSU complex in Zwickau and the surrounding area. In particular, the focus will be on civil society approaches to dealing with the NSU. Solidarity with and the concerns of those affected and their families are important to us.

We are looking for proposals that succeed in anchoring a practice of remembrance on a broad basis while still putting a finger in the wound. We are looking for approaches for a living remembrance that takes local and regional conditions and requirements seriously and at the same time creates space for change. What we are looking for are building blocks for rituals that are both striking and yet recurring.

2. support services & framework conditions

Budget for the residency:
12,000 euros (gross), including all production and presentation costs, travel and accommodation costs

Implementation period:
01.08. – 30.11.2026

Working spaces & infrastructure:
Access to the facilities of Offener Prozess – a documentation center on the NSU complex in Chemnitz, connection to the working team and local networks in Zwickau and Chemnitz Consultation and exchange with the team of Offener Prozess on the concrete design of the residency.

3. application & selection process

Application deadline:
June 14, 2026

Sifting & selection:
until June 26, 2026

Application documents:
Project outline including methodological approach and financial planning (max. 1.5 A4 pages), references (scientific, artistic, curatorial or activist work), CV

4. expected results

A contribution to the discussion of the NSU complex on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the NSU’s self-disclosure (especially in the context of the “November Days” between November 1 and 8, 2026 in Zwickau) in coordination with Offener Prozess an event or a public presentation of the contribution in Offener Prozess- a documentation center on the NSU complex in Saxony.

5. notes on the application

Applications can be made in German or English, alternative qualifications (creative, activist or personal experience) will be considered on an equal footing with academic qualifications. Applications from people with marginalized perspectives and from people with a connection to East Germany, whether through their background, studies, life path or the focus of their work, are particularly welcome.

6. contact & submission

Please send the application with the subject “Residency 2026” by e-mail to

residency@offener-prozess.de If you have any queries , please contact: Nathalie Senf, n.senf@offener-prozess.de or Jörg Buschmann, j.buschmann@offener-prozess.de

Attention:

There will be an open Q&A session about the residency on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

You are also welcome to submit your questions in advance by email. After registering by e-mail to n.senf@offener-prozess.de you will receive the link to the call.