Euskirchen commemorates: 40 new stumbling blocks for the victims of the Nazi regime

Euskirchen commemorates: 40 new stumbling blocks for the victims of the Nazi regime

Euskirchen, Deutschland - In Euskirchen there will be a moving event on Wednesday, June 11th: 40 new stumbling blocks will be laid in the city center. These small, golden memorial stones are in the tradition of the famous artist Gunter Demnig, who has been known for many years to commemorate the people who have been persecuted during National Socialism. Previously, more than 250 stumbling blocks in Euskirchen had their history tell, starting with the first laying on June 12, 2002, organized by the dedicated teacher Dorothee Kroll.

Every stumbling block tells an individual fate. They are moved exactly where the people lived and offer an urgent way to remind you of the victims. Samuel and Sara Klinger are among the names whose fate has not yet been fully recorded. The Schwarz family, who fled to South Africa because they were in danger during the pogrom night, is also honored. They operated a horse trade in Euskirchen and their history is now part of the collective memory.

Program of laying

The laying is accompanied by various family members who travel extra to commemorate the victims. Here is the schedule for June 11th:

• 9:00 a.m.: The Schnog and Cleffmann family, Bischofstraße 21 (greeting from Mayor Sacha Reichelt)
• 9:45 a.m.: Family Horn, Kommerner Straße 6
• 10:30 a.m.: The Carl family, Münstereifeler Straße 119
• 11:15 p.m.: Family Schwarzbach, Breitestraße 33
• 11:45 a.m.: Family Hertz, Alter Markt 12
• 12:15 p.m.: Family Weinberg, Neustrasse 8
• 12:45 p.m.: Meyer family, Ursulinenstraße 37
• 1:15 p.m.: The Klinger family, Ursulinenstrasse/corner Viktoriastraße
• 1:45 p.m.: The Schwarz family, Wilhelmstraße 16
• 2:15 p.m.: The Kahn family, Wilhelmstraße 49

Gunter Demnig, who laid the stumbling blocks, emphasizes that a person is only forgotten when his name is forgotten. This is an important part of his work, which always brings together the local people in order to deal with contemporary history together. Sabine Dünnwald, head of the Euskirchen city archive, has supported the relocation since 2006 and is responsible for searching archive material to reconstruct the fate of the people.

digital memory offers

New in Euskirchen and North Rhine-Westphalia is the digital experience of the stumbling blocks. Since January 21, these have been accessible via an app, which is an exciting expansion of memory. This digital offer was developed in cooperation with other partners under the leadership of the WDR and enables interactive access to the stumbling blocks. Around 15,000 stumbling blocks are currently registered throughout North Rhine -Westphalia, and Euskirchen is the proud part of this project.

The stumbling blocks are more than just memorial stones; They are an art project that continuously reminds of the people who have suffered from National Socialism. By August 2024, a total of over 107,000 stumbling blocks were laid in various countries, in almost 1900 municipalities. This commitment shows that the memory of the victims and dealing with their history throughout Europe plays a central role. stummelsteine.eu informs about this impressive development that concerns us all.

We invite all citizens to take part in this important day and to devote themselves to the stories of these brave people. Because every life counts and every memory is important.

around the stumbling blocks takes place lively, including international guests who commemorate their relatives. Working together on this project shows how important it is to keep the past alive through art and memory. This promotes dialogue and reflection on our history and the present. So visit Euskirchen and be part of this special event!