Get to know us
Hi, we are the German team behind the project: “NS Injustice ‘Degenerate Music'”.
We would like to introduce ourselves in the following article.
We are based at the Bremer Bündnis für deutsch-tschechische Zusammenarbeit e.V. and work in Bremen.
Natalie Reinsch
Hi, my name is Natalie Reinsch and I am the director of the project “Nazi Injustice ‘Degenerate Music'”. I am a historian and curator with a focus on the history of the 20th century. As I am passionate about swing dancing, I was aware of the persecution of swing youth by the Nazi regime, having seen the movie “Swing Kids”. I conceived the project to develop new educational programs about the history of National Socialism and the resistance to it. Dealing with the history of Lindy Hop and the persecution of swing dancers during National Socialism opens up the possibility of dealing with various topics such as racism, anti-Semitism and antiziganism, but also with resistance and the scope of the individual in a totalitarian state.
Philipp Mangels
Moin. I am Philipp Mangels, a cultural historian specializing in East Central Europe and part of the team of the Bremen Alliance for German-Czech Cooperation. During my studies, I was already heavily involved with subcultures and youth cultures and I see many links to this topic in the swing youth. What I find particularly fascinating is the self-determination of young people, who don’t let adults or regimes tell them how to live their lives. In our project, I am particularly looking forward to the educational work with young people who still have clear ideas about their own lifestyle today. I don’t just want to teach about history, I also want to learn a lot from the young people.
Ramona Rücker
Hello, my name is Ramona. Together with Melika, I’m responsible for the project’s social media. I studied public history and media studies with a focus on cultures of remembrance as well as media communication and coming to terms with National Socialism.
I have been dancing since my childhood, mainly hip hop, which is why I find the persecution of swing dancers all the more unimaginable and their commitment courageous and self-determined.
I am looking forward to this project because I love meeting different people and learning with and through them. I am also excited to share the story(s) of swing youth with you.
Melika Yildizová
Hi, I’m Melika Yildiz, a student at the University of Bremen.
I’m studying political science and religious studies and I’m interested in the history of Jewish life because I have Jewish roots. I have been working in the PR department of the ŠTETL FEST, an international Jewish festival in Brno, for three years. I am also a member (as a Czech) of the Bremen Alliance for German-Czech Cooperation.
The topic of the project “NS-Injustice degenerated music” is extremely interesting for me, as it provides a different perspective on the Nazi era. That’s why I’m very happy to be part of the team. Together with Ramona, I am responsible for the project’s social networks.
Nazi injustice "Degenerated music"
The transnational project takes a comparative look at the Nazi persecution practices of the northwest German swing youth, the Czech potapki and the swing and jazz music scene in occupied Poland and develops multi-perspective, interdisciplinary and participatory mediation formats.
