Commemoration for Ramazan Avcı: 40 years against racism and violence!

Commemoration for Ramazan Avcı: 40 years against racism and violence!

December 21, 2025 marks not only another day on the calendar, but also the 40th anniversary of a shocking crime that continues to reverberate through our city today. Four decades ago, Ramazan Avcı, a 26-year-old Turkish migrant, was brutally attacked by neo-Nazis near the Landwehr S-Bahn station. He died from his serious injuries in hospital a few days later, on Christmas Eve. This tragedy not only affected the lives of many, but also led to a collective outcry against racism and violence in Hamburg.

On December 21, a public memorial event was held at Ramazan Avcı Square, where Avcı's name has represented the square since 2012. Organized by the Ramazan Avcı Memorial Initiative, which includes his widow and son, the event brought together numerous participants. Against the background of neo-Nazi violence and increasing racism, the memory of Avcı becomes particularly vivid. The historical roots of these commemorations go back to a large demonstration in January 1986 in which 15,000 people took to the streets for the rights of migrants to protest against xenophobia.

Culture of remembrance redesigned

An essential part of the commemoration is the artistic redesign of the square. This resulted in a new monument as well as artistically designed memorial signs and lounge areas for visitors. This redesign was realized with the help of students from the University of Fine Arts (HFBK) and supported by the “Art in Public Spaces” program of the Authority for Culture and Media and the Hamburg-Nord District Office. A step that many consider important to preserve the memory of the cruel event and to take a stand against racism and discrimination.

The murder of Ramazan Avcı was not an isolated incident. Mehmet Kaymakçı had already been murdered by neo-Nazis in Kiwittsmoor Park - an event that also received widespread response and led to the founding of the Turkish Community in Germany. A memorial plaque was erected for Kaymakçı in Kiwittsmoor Park in 2021. From 2027, the Hamburg-Nord district office plans to hold an annual memorial service to remember all victims of right-wing extremist violence. Planning for this is already in full swing.

Society in transition

In recent years, the social conditions have changed significantly. Today, around a third of the population in Germany has a family history of migration. This is reflected in a variety of civil society activities that oppose discrimination and racism. Nevertheless, the challenge remains great: around 1,420 xenophobic violent incidents were registered in 2024, the highest number in years. Anti-foreigner attitudes also seem to be gaining ground among the population, which becomes clear in the statistics on advice requests from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.

The Hamburg Sports Club (HSV) has also spoken out and supports the rejection of racism among its fans. Graffiti in the stadium, which not only sends a clear message with “Love Hamburg, Hate Racism”, stands as symbols of a constantly growing awareness against discrimination.

With the redesign of Ramazan Avcı Square and the commemorative events, the city is not only doing justice to its history, but is also sending an important signal: racism has no place in Hamburg. The memorial initiative is supported by the Hamburg-Nord district office in order to keep the memory of Avcı alive and to shape the urban community into a place of respect and tolerance.

The coming years will show how deeply these changes will penetrate social consciousness. The hope remains that we will pull together to promote an inclusive and diverse culture in which there is no place for racism.

For more information about the commemorative events and historical significance, please visit hamburg.de, while the background to racist violence and discrimination is under nd-aktuell.de as well as statista.com can be viewed.