Remembering the Past, Pledging the Future: "Never Again Sets the Tone" in Hamburg
Hamburg, 2023, commemorated Remembrance Day with a fervent call to action. The city's leaders - President of the Hamburg Parliament, Carola Veit, and Hamburg's Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank - highlighted the recurring theme of "Never again" as the guiding principle spent eight decades in the wake of the Nazi era's dark past.
The proceedings began at the Neuengamme concentration camp's former detention bunker, where Veit delivered a poignant address. She asserted: "With the world changing since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, Jews living in fear of hostility and violence isn't a distant reality. It's our reality here in cosmopolitan Hamburg, 80 years after the end of Nazi crimes. 'Never again!' – a principle we've embraced since the Holocaust – is now and here, demanding our attention."
Speaking against hatred, prejudice, and violence, Veit urged: "We refuse to condone any more hatred, group-focused misanthropy, anti-Semitism, homophobia, racism, or sexism. Volkstrauertag is a reminder to remember our ancestors' crimes and learn from them, for we cannot be guilty and cannot allow our posterity to be so, with all our wisdom."
Stefan Romey of the Working Committee of Organizations of Formerly Persecuted Persons in Hamburg and Kristof van Mierop, Secretary General of the Amicale Internationale KZ Neuengamme, also graced the stage with powerful testimonies.
Fegebank, speaking from a Green perspective, reiterated the city's commitment: "The terror perpetrated by Hamas against Jews has left an indelible mark. Our country's rising anti-Semitism is intolerable. Our act of solidarity with Israel is more than merely an emotional appeal – it's our duty to stand by their side and prevent hatred from thriving on our streets."
The commemorations continued at St. Michaelis' main church with a central hour of remembrance. The Institute for the History of German Jews' Director, Kim Wünschmann, underscored the importance of remembering and learning. Police student Eyleen Flocke and youth officer Saskia Sierck, representing the Hamburg police and fire department, shared their respective views on Remembrance Day.
The commemoration of Remembrance Day in Hamburg is a yearly occasion that marks the contributions of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, founded in 1919. Originally prompted by the need for solidarity with the victims' families of World War I, the German Federal Republic now commemorates all victims of war and tyranny.
The devastating impact of the Holocaust and its repercussions continue to resonate in memorials such as the Neuengamme concentration camp memorial. These sites serve as somber reminders that the horrors of war and the hate propagated by Nazi tyranny must never be forgotten or repeated. Commitment to the principle of "Never again" demands regular visits to these shrines and making a conscious effort to keep the dark chapters of history alive in our collective consciousness.
Enriching the Narrative
Germany's 2023 Remembrance Day commemorations in Hamburg shared themes prevalent in broader Holocaust remembrance contexts. These themes included the reaffirmation of the "Never again" promise, addressing the growing anti-Semitism, and utilizing memorials like "Stolpersteine" as reminders of individual experiences.
Reflecting on the 100th anniversary of the "Revier Blutbuche" memorial site, German Mayor Peter Tschentscher paid tribute to the police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty at Ohlsdorf cemetery.
While details from the source didn't elaborate on specific activities, the broad themes of remembrance and solidarity ensured that the 2023 commemorations in Hamburg remained an emblematic representation of these values. Observing Remembrance Day, Hamburg contributed significantly to preserving memories and reviving the spirit of "Never again."
