Fire In The Rote Flora - But We Go On

     In the early hours of Tuesday morning, November 28, 1995, a
fire broke out in the archive of the squatted community and
political centre of Hamburg, the Rote Flora. The fire-brigade
managed to control the blaze after an intense four-hour struggle
with three fire-engines, but the fire was not extinguished until
11.00 a.m. In the fire-fighting process the whole roof of the
building, had to be removed. The whole of the first floor has been
completely burnt out, the rest of the building, namely the ground
floor and cellar has been severely damaged by water. At first the
cause was assigned to a technical defect in the archives but
evidence has since arisen that might point to arson.
     Two access doors to the building had been broken open. A hole
had been smashed in the wall of the archives where a security door
was fitted; according to the first fire-fighters on the scene, who
enlarged this hole to gain entry, the stones had fallen inwards and
could not be ascribed to the fire. The archivists have assured us
that they left no electronic instruments running - copier, fax and
computer were all off. Furthermore, the movement-activated alarm in
the archive was set off twice, but not taken seriously due to
frequent false alarms. This is all the information we have at the
moment. Speculation should not be let run wild.
     The Flora was occupied in 1989 on November 1st as a response
to the continuing gentrification of the Sternschanze district,
culminating in the demolition of the old Flora theatre and the
building of a new concert hall for a long-standing production of
"Phantom of the Opera". The Phantom had to go elsewhere and the
Flora has continued since then as a self-administered, self-
determined political and cultural centre. Originally there was a
dump adjoining the building which the Florists cleared and turned
into a park. In 1992 the park was brutally evicted.
     Over the past 6 years the centre has had to fight continually
for its survival. During this time a fairly strong position has
been reached. It has functioned as a local cultural centre for
concerts, cafe and Vokue [roughly translates as a "people's
kitchen" for the community - ed.], exhibitions, theatre, radio,
bicycle and motorbike self-help groups, sport rooms and as an open
space where the widest variety of groups could exercise their
projects in a hierarchy-free environment. That means: no sexism, no
racism and no capitalism. On a local political level it is the
place from where non-parliamentary left-wing opposition is often
coordinated. Demos were prepared, and campaigns directed with the
Flora as focal point. Benefit actions for national and
international causes were held here. Congresses and other events
networking the North German left were often conducted here.
     Furthermore, the "Archive of social movements" was housed in
the Flora, a unique collection of material documenting the history
of the Left since 1945 in Germany and internationally. All but 5%
of the material has been completely destroyed. That can never be
replaced. The photo-archive and its collection was also destroyed.
     The fire could not have hit at a worse time. Right in the
middle of a solidarity action week for the banned newspaper
"Radikal" and the prisoners of the June 13 raids directed against
the paper and various other groups. Just when 2 of those prisoners
have been transferred, and demos around the prisons have been
banned. Just when 3 Kurds in a Hamburg deportation prison have gone
on hunger-strike.
     One thing is clear. The Flora must go on. We cannot allow the
politicians to use this as an excuse to demolish the building.
According to surveyors from both the city and from our side the
material substance of the building is still intact and there is no
danger of collapse. We have entered the building, which was at
first cordoned off, and begun with a massive cleaning operation.
This weekend (December 2) we shall attempt to erect a provisional
roof with a large canvas sheet. The electrical wiring must all be
relaid. The whole of the first floor has to be re-built inside the
outer walls. The roof of the ground floor has to be newly shored
up. The water damage is extensive but not beyond repair.
     Our first objective is to ensure that some kind of restricted
activity returns to the place. We are holding night watches and a
caravan has been installed as a co-ordination and information
point. The erection of a tent to replace some of the Flora's
functions in a limited and provisional form has also been planned.
The repair work must be done as quickly as possible. It has been
heard that the senate wishes to use this opportunity to find a
definitive solution to the Flora problem.
     Given that we have nothing to expect from the city except
obstacles and attempts to restrict our self-determination, it is
likely that we shall be completely dependent on donations. Despite
the destruction of almost all its material, the Archive also plans
to continue. They need donations too, both in the form of money and
of old newspapers, pamphlets, leaflets etc., to rebuild their
collection.
     We hope that groups from other countries can show their
solidarity with us, organise benefit events, whatever. If this
place goes under a vital node in the network of North German left-
wing organisation will have been lost, and our structures will have
been severely weakened. Donations of whatever kind can be sent to
the following addresses:

Money transfers:

Spendekonto Flora e.V.
Postgiroamt Hamburg
BLZ: 20010020 (Bank Sort Code = BLZ)
Ktonr.: 29492/202 (= account nr.)

International Money Orders, etc.

Rote Flora
Schulterblatt 71
20357 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: 040/4395413

The above address can also be used to contact the archives.

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