Memory in Stein: Long tradition of the stumbling blocks in Wiener Neustadt

Memory in Stein: Long tradition of the stumbling blocks in Wiener Neustadt

In Wiener Neustadt, the meaningful approach to honor the Nazi victims is continued by the initiative of the SPÖ section Mitte under City Councilor Norbert Horvath. This committed cooperation helps to maintain the memory of the persecuted, since the city has actively supported the cleaning of the stumbling blocks since 2021 and mobilizes volunteers for helping.

The stumbling blocks, a remarkable project by the Cologne artist Gunter Demnig, were first moved in Germany in 1995 and have also been spreading in Austria since then. These small, cube-shaped concrete stones are provided with brass plates that bear the names of Nazi victims. As a rule, they are inserted into the sidewalk in front of the last self -elected apartment of the injured party to return their memories and identities that were withdrawn from the Nazis.

The history of the stumbling blocks

The first stumbling blocks in Wiener Neustadt were laid in 2010 by the association "Aktion Mithensch" and the street newspaper "Eibisch-Zuckerl". In 2009, the municipal council decided to start relocating the first ten stones, supported by a sponsorship initiative of the community. Since then, the number of stumbling blocks has grown continuously; By 2021, the memorial stones already counted around 120 in the city.

A central concern of the project is to not only appreciate Jewish victims, but also other affected groups, such as Romani and Sinti, religious minorities, homosexual people and many others who suffered from the National Socialist regime. The initiators endeavor to collect comprehensive documentation about the fates of those affected and to support them by scientific work by experts like Werner Sulzgruber.

The idea behind the stumbling blocks is not only to remember the victims, but also to actively involve the community in this process. Therefore, the SPÖ section Mitte is still looking for committed volunteers to clean the stones to maintain their condition and ensure that the memory of the deceased remains alive.

The stumbling blocks can now be found not only in Germany, but also in 29 other European countries. Around 100,000 of these memorial stones have already been laid by May 2023, which underlines the far -reaching effect and the sustainable interest in this form of commemoration. In Austria, the first two stones were relocated to St. Georgen in 1997, followed by numerous other initiatives in different cities.

This constant development of the Stumbling Stone Initiative in Wiener Neustadt and beyond shows how important it is to maintain the memory of the victims of National Socialism. The many who participate in this important work contribute to the fact that the horrors of the past are not forgotten.

The use of the SPÖ section Mitte and the numerous helpers illustrates the importance of memory work in public space. It remains to be seen how the initiative will develop, especially with regard to the inclusion of new victim groups and the acquisition of other volunteers who want to prescribe this honorable goal. Interested parties can report to the SPÖ section Mitte in order to become part of this important initiative and to contribute to the preservation of memory. More information about the Stumpere Steine is here Available.