Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Finale of the War within Hamburg's Municipal Building - Eight decades of conflict unfold in the heart of Hamburg
Celebrating 80 years: Remembering the end of War at Hamburg City Hall, a poignant reminder of our democratic values
May 8th, 1945 marks the end of Nazism's reign and the beginning of our cherished freedom and democracy. Members from SPD, CDU, Greens, and Left came together at Hamburg City Hall to clean the stumbling stones, a powerful symbol of the past and a guardian of our future.
"The 8th of May reminds us of the end of Nazi tyranny and the invaluable nature of our liberty and democracy," said Isabella Vértes-Schütter (SPD). By cleaning the stumbling stones, we pay respect to the forgotten members of the Hamburg Parliament who suffered, persecuted, and lost their lives under Nazism. "Their story serves as a warning for us, a reminder to stay vigilant and unyielding in our defense of our democratic values," she underscored.
Lena Zagst from the Greens echoes the urgency, "Eighty years after the war, peace and democracy may appear self-evident, but they're under threat today as never before. In the face of rising anti-Semitism, racism, and the resurgence of right-wing ideologies, it's our duty to advocate for an open and democratic Hamburg and actively safeguard our values."
CDU's Dietrich Wersich issued a grave warning, "We, as parliamentarians, stand gathered here, bound by our responsibility to learn from the past and create a future where this darkness will never return. By cleaning the stumbling stones in front of Hamburg City Hall, we remember the victims and honor the resilience of those members of parliament who were persecuted."
Deniz Celik from the Left emphasizes, "The phrase, 'Never again war, never again fascism,' is more than just a historical relic for us. It's a political duty, especially when the AfD gains strength, authoritarian thought patterns emerge, and nationalist sentiments rise. Our response to forgetfulness and hatred is unity, anti-fascism, and the active defense of peace."
In the plenary hall, writer Nora Bossong delivered the moving keynote address. Carola Veit, the parliament president, cautioned, "In 2025, fewer and fewer young people will recognize the atrocities of the Holocaust. With the increase in anti-Semitism, the threats to concentration camp memorials, and the distortion of historical facts by right-wing populists, this is a dangerous reversal of perpetrators and victims."
- Nazism
- Hamburg
- SPD
- CDU
- Democracy
- War's end
- Stumbling stone
- Europe
- Right-wing extremism
- World War II
- Memory
- Alliance 90/The Greens
Insights:- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a member of the SPD, played a key role in the commemorations, emphasizing the need for Europe to remain united in peace.- Political parties in Germany emphasize the importance of democracy, unity, and the fight against extremism in different contexts, especially during significant historical anniversaries.- Germany's role in preserving peace and combating right-wing extremism is crucial amidst global tensions.
- The end of Nazism in 1945 marked the beginning of cherished freedom and democracy in Germany, a significance highlighted by the SPD, CDU, Greens, and Left during the commemoration at Hamburg City Hall.
- As the parliamentarians gathered to clean the stumbling stones, they paid tribute to the members of Hamburg Parliament who suffered and perished under the rule of Nazism, a stark reminder of the past that guards our future.
- The SPD, CDU, Alliance 90/The Greens, and the Left reiterated the importance of democracy, peace, and unity in the face of rising anti-Semitism, racism, and nationalist sentiments.
- In the plenary, writer Nora Bossong delivered a moving keynote address, while the parliament president cautioned of the dangers looming in 2025, when fewer young people will recognize the atrocities of World War II, and anti-Semitism, concentration camp memorial threats, and historical fact distortion by right-wing populists may escalate.
- The commemorative event in Hamburg emphasized Germany's crucial role in preserving peace and combating right-wing extremism, a task that becomes even more significant in the context of global tensions.
