Stumble Stones
On the cobbled stone streets in Europe, you often look down
so you don’t trip on uneven stones. This
precaution has an added benefit that you may also spot stumble stones in quiet
locations in towns you are visiting.
Stolpersteine, the German word for stumbling stones, are in many
cities in Europe. I had never heard of
stumble stones but discovered from my contacts in each of the Off
the Beaten Track towns I was
visiting as the guest of the German tourist office, where I might find them. And I continued to look for them during my
trip. It is 70 years since the end of WWII but the
memorials are a small reminder of the horror of the Nazi extermination program.
Gunter Demnig, the artist. Photo from his web site
Gunter Demnig, the artist. Photo from his web site
A little research opened a wealth of information on this
quiet testament to men, women and children who were deported by the Nazi during
WWII. The artist responsible for the creation of
the Stumble Stones, Gunter Demnig, born
in 1947, started this project in 1995 and continues today. 1
The stolperstein project started in the 1990 as an exhibit commemorating
the deportation of gypsies in Cologne and has grown into a movement to memorialize
the people who lived and worked at the locations where the stones are
placed. Thanks to Ms Ederer, in charming
Regensburg, I found my first stumble
stone.
Small, only 4 inches square, these small stones left a big impression on me. Each stone is topped by a brass plaque engraved with the name, date of birth, date of deportation and if known the date and place of their death. Stones are installed in the pavement in front of the buildings where the deported person lived or worked.
Everyone I met on this trip had an extensive knowledge of
German history. I was impressed with the
endless details and facts each guide could share with me. From the history of every church and monument
to when the Roman Empire built the structures still standing today I was concerned about any reaction I would
receive if I spoke about WWII to the tour guides I met and the very helpful
staff at the tourist offices in each city I visited. WWII only came up when I was informed how the
city was damaged or destroyed by the bombings during WWII. Discovering the stumbling stones offered an
opportunity to talk about WWII.
The estimates are that more than 6 million Jews died from
the Nazi insanity. Dissidents, gypsies,
homosexuals and ‘defectives’ were also targeted for elimination. Of course every victim will not receive a
stone. Originally all the stones were
created and placed at the designated location by the artist. Now trained assistants help create the many
stones requested each year.3 The artists’ web site lists the installations
schedules for across Europe. . Each plaque costs about 120E and is paid for
by a sponsor, relative or family member.
According to the artist’s website, “As of August, 2014,
there have been over 48,000 Stolpersteine (laid) in 18 countries in Europe,
making the project the world’s largest memorial”. Besides Germany, stones have been placed in
Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Russia,
Croatia, France, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Norway, Ukraine, Switzerland,
Slovakia and Luxembourg.” 1
I have asked a number of well travels associates if they had
heard of stumble stones and only one resident in Rome had read about them. During my trip to Germany, I occasionally
spotted one or more installed in front of a building. They made me stop, read a few names but most
important, think. When you see
crowds witness something ‘wrong’ and do nothing to stop it, there is a
similarity to what might have happened in the 1930’s as neighbors watched the Gestapo
and the SS systematically remove neighbors from their homes and send them
‘away’. Fear is a powerful tool. Fear that even a German gentile might also be
selected for removal. The stones bring
the sheer massive numbers down to individual victims.
Very faint and blending in with the pavement, but you can read each name and date of their death in the camps
Memorial to the seven martyred priest in Trier
 |
| Jesuit church/monastery |
 |
Memorial to the seven martyred priest in Trier
My last stop was Trier, Germany. Here along with the impressive cathedral,
Roman ruins, lively shopping streets my guide showed me the seven stumble
stones in front of the Jesuit church.
These stones quietly memorialized seven priests who were sent to the
camps and did not return.
Not every town or city is happy to have these memorials
added to the public sidewalks. Some
towns have legislated to prevent installation, some stones have been removed or
defaced and in some locations the local government has voted not to allow the
installation of the stones on public walkways. Lisa Lampert-Weissig gives an extensive account
of the town of Villingen stalwart
rejection of stumble stones. 4. Two
Villingen students with the help of their teacher, created virtual stolpersteine sites:
stickers with QR codes that can be read with a smart phone to obtain the
same information that a stumble stone would offer. According to Lampert-Weissig’s story, even
these have been defaced.4
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_country_that_have_stolpersteine a Wikipedia list of countries where stumble
stones can been found.
4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_country_that_have_stolpersteine
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Billboard messages: Another Great Find In Germany
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Billboard messages: Another Great Find In Germany
Germany has a wonderful history in art, architecture, literature, music etc
The professional tour guides I worked with in all the cities Off the Beaten Track that the tourist board arranged for me were amazing. But my mission disappointed all of them. continue to story on the self proclaimed 'Jesus' who leaves messages in Wiesbaden.
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