SHAME – European Stories

Exhibition duration: 17.01.2026-14.02.2026

The exhibition

The exhibition focuses on powerful portraits by the Italian photographer Simone Padovani. The photographs and texts tell of experienced abuse and of life afterward. The experiences of these individuals help us understand that sexualized violence can happen anywhere and that this gives rise to a societal and individual responsibility for prevention.

The exhibition title “Shame – European Stories” can be understood both as a mirror and as a wake-up call: as a reference to the feeling of shame that repeatedly plays a central role in the accounts of those affected, or as an indictment of a society that does not perceive the suffering of these people and fails to prevent further injustice.

The exhibition was initiated by the “Justice Initiative” of the Guido Fluri Foundation (Switzerland) and is supported by the association CHANGE TAXES! Robin Sisterhood eV

The exhibition is presented in cooperation with the Diocesan Museum Osnabrück gezeigt.

Note: The exhibition contains potentially disturbing or upsetting content on the topic of sexual violence. This warning is intended to enable people to make an informed decision about whether they wish to view or read this content.

If necessary, we can put you in touch with psychological counseling centers.

The art space hase29 is in contact with the German Child Protection Association in Osnabrück.

Contact:
Elizabeth Lumme
Email: elisabeth.lumme@hase29.de
Phone : 0171 9585965

Opening hours

Wed / Thu / Fri 14 pm – 18 pm
Sat 11 a.m. - 15 p.m.

Wed., 28.01.2026: Karl Haucke is present at the exhibition as a contact person.

Fri., 30.01.2026: Karl Haucke is present at the exhibition as a contact person.

NEW! Special opening hours on selected Sundays (see dates below)

Guided tours through the exhibition “SHAME – European Stories”
by Karl Haucke from the association UMSTEUERN! Robin Sisterhood eV

Sat, 31.01.2026, 11.30 pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026, 12:30 PM

Sat, 14.02.2026, 11.30 pm

Sunday, February 15, 2026, 12:30 PM Closing event

Here you will find one List of counselling centers for victims of sexual violence for download

Anita, 56, sexualized violence in care homes, photo: Simone Padovani

Andreea, 21, violence in the family and in care homes, photo Simone Padovani

Arnaud, 41, sexualized violence by clergy and within the family, photo by Simone Padovani

Event program

Participation in events is free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. However, we do welcome donations.

Exhibition opening SHAME – European Stories

Friday, January 16, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Welcome: Elisabeth Lumme (Chairwoman of Kunstraum hase29) and Dr. Hermann Queckenstedt (Director of the Diocesan Museum Osnabrück)

Introduction: Maria Mesrian (UMSTEUERN! Robin Sisterhood eV) and Karl Haucke; survivor of sexualized violence and spokesperson for the "NRW State Commission for Establishing Standards for Addressing Sexualized Violence Against Children and Young People"

Free entry!

Panel discussion “When art bears responsibility: Culture reflected in social ills” Thu, 29.01.2026, 19 pm

Panel discussion
with Dr. Caroline Harnack and Karl Haucke, / Moderated by: Max Ciolek

Thu, 29.01.2026, 19:XNUMX

What function does art have in a society? And how can it create a space that uses aesthetic approaches to draw attention to injustices and raise awareness of relevant issues?
Dr. Caroline Harnack is a theologian and holds a doctorate in the field of theatre and theology.
Max Ciolek is a member of the North Advisory Council of the Dioceses of Hamburg, Hildesheim and Osnabrück and also works there in the Working Group on Remembrance Culture.
Karl Haucke is a victim of sexualized violence and spokesperson for the "NRW State Commission for the Establishment of Standards for Addressing Sexualized Violence Against Children and Young People"

Together, Dr. Caroline Harnack and Karl Haucke explore how art and culture can make a necessary contribution to socio-political discourse.

Exhibition talk for multipliers with Karl Haucke, Wed, February 4, 2026, 7 pm

Exhibition talk for multipliers with Karl Haucke

Wed, December 04.02.2026, 19, XNUMX:XNUMX am

The guided tour is aimed at instructors, teachers, managers, and group leaders. We want to remove the taboo surrounding the topic of sexualized violence against children, young people, and vulnerable adults, in order to promote responsible action at all levels. Safeguarding policies are still rare in institutions. However, every institution (schools, clubs, daycare centers, etc.) needs a comprehensive policy to effectively protect children and young people from abuse. Preventive measures include, for example, a binding code of conduct, risk analysis, training, measures to strengthen children's rights, intervention strategies (e.g., emergency plans, contact persons), and forms of participation. Transparent communication creates safe spaces, increases the confidence of all involved, and empowers children to express their boundaries.

Reading: “Keinzelfall – How Heinz survived a Catholic home” (2025), Thu, 05.02.2026

reading with Dr. Christiane Florin / Moderation: Maria Mesrian (UMSTEUERN! Robin Sisterhood eV) and Hans-Jürgen Oldenburg (Heimkinder Community eV)

Thu, 05.02.2026, 19:XNUMX

Heinz is not an isolated case. What he has to say speaks for itself. And he speaks for many.

Christiane Florin tells the story of a man torn between courage, anger, and despair. Heinz was mistreated and sexually abused as a child in a church-run home. The journalist confronts the institutions with his biography – and receives only empty promises.

Keynote speech and discussion: “Look! Listen! A look at sexualized violence in science and art” Wed, February 11, 2026, 7 pm

Keynote speech and discussion: “Look! Listen! A look at sexualized violence in science and art”

Wed, December 11.02.2026, 19, XNUMX:XNUMX am

Professor Dr. Siegrid Westphal (University of Osnabrück) was one of the two project leaders of the investigation into abuse in the Diocese of Osnabrück since 1945. In her presentation, she introduces the research group's methodological approaches and explains the role narratives played in reinterpreting sexualized violence on various levels. These insights complement the biographical information presented in the exhibition portraits. The subsequent discussion will also address how knowledge of these acts of violence can contribute to their prevention.

Opportunity for a guided tour of the exhibition with Karl Haucke at 18 pm

Discussion evening: “Shame is political” Thu, 12.02.2026, 19 pm

Evening of discussion with Heba Najdi and Patricia Heller (Anti-Discrimination Offices of the City of Osnabrück)

Thu, 12.02.2026, 19:XNUMX

Gisèle Pelicot became a feminist icon with her statement, "Shame must change sides." But why are victims of violence shamed in the first place? What mechanisms silence victims, and who benefits from this silence? Heba Najdi and Patricia Heller explore these and other questions in conversation, drawing on Pelicot's trial.

Heba Najdi is an employee in the anti-discrimination office of the city of Osnabrück and supports people who have experienced discrimination.

Patricia Heller is the equal opportunities officer of the city of Osnabrück and deals, among other things, with the topic of sexualized violence.

The evening is an open invitation to conversation and aims to provide a space to share personal impressions and experiences.

Guided public tours through the exhibition “SHAME – European Stories”

with Karl Haucke from the association UMSTEUERN! Robin Sisterhood eV

Sat, 14.02.2026, 11.30 pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026, 12:30 PM

Closing event: Sunday, February 15, 2025 at 12:30 pm

Sunday, January 15.2.2025, 12.30 at XNUMX:XNUMX a.m

Last opportunity for an exhibition discussion with Karl Haucke

Guided tours of the exhibition for school classes

Our trained mediation team offers dialogic discussion formats for school classes from grade 4 onwards, in order to enable an approach to this sensitive topic that is both careful and age-appropriate.

How do we guide school classes through the exhibition?

We introduce children to the topic by discussing the perception of "good" and "bad" feelings. This strengthens young people's own perceptions and encourages them to trust their "yes" or "no" feelings. Because the boundaries between trust and experiences of violence can be fluid, participants are encouraged to turn to trusted adults with negative feelings. At the same time, adults are made aware that children seeking help need unconditional and unreserved attention in safe spaces.

After the exhibition discussion, participants can process their impressions in an artistic and practical way in the studio. We offer an introductory discussion in your class to prepare for this. To follow up on the exhibition visit, we recommend discussing the results of the creative work again at school. We also offer our support for this, if needed.

The art space hase29 is in contact with the German Child Protection Association in Osnabrück and can arrange counselling services at short notice.

Dates for dialogic discussions with school classes

School classes and youth groups are supervised on selected dates by our art education team in cooperation with Karl Haucke, who shares expert knowledge as a representative of the association “Umsteuern! Robin Sisterhood” and a victim of sexualized violence.