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Willich Honors Kristallnacht Victims in Powerful Commemoration Against Hate

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony and student tributes marked Willich’s stand against hatred. How one German city keeps history’s lessons alive today.

In this image I can see memorials carved on the wall. Also there are flower bouquets.
In this image I can see memorials carved on the wall. Also there are flower bouquets.

Willich Honors Kristallnacht Victims in Powerful Commemoration Against Hate

In Willich, Germany, a significant event took place on November 9. The city's First Deputy Mayor, Guido Görtz, led a commemoration against antisemitism and other forms of hatred. The event, marking the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogroms, drew a crowd to the memorial for a wreath-laying ceremony.

Görtz, along with several speakers including Franciska, Lennartz, Dr. Leah Floh, and Bernd-Dieter Röhrscheid, emphasized the importance of keeping the memories of the past alive. They stressed the need for supporting tolerance, humanity, and democracy in the present.

Participants honored the victims of the Kristallnacht pogroms, reflecting on their responsibilities in the current times. Students from Willich’s Robert Schuman European School played a poignant role, reading out the names of the victims under the guidance of their teacher, Thomas Schmitz. The event also featured musical performances, adding a solemn and reflective tone.

The commemoration in Willich served as a powerful reminder of the past and a call to action for the future. Guido Görtz thanked everyone involved in shaping the remembrance, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in promoting understanding and unity.

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