Remembrance for Margot Friedländer: A Citywide Tribute in Berlin
Multiple Memorial Tributes for Margot Friedländer Eulogized - Suggestions Abound for Commemoration of Margot Friedländer
Get ready for a heartfelt tribute in Berlin for Margot Friedländer, an inspiring Holocaust survivor and ardent advocate for humanity. Whether it's a school, a square, a street, or a monument, there's no shortage of proposals to immortalize her impact in her hometown.
As the city gears up to say goodbye to Margot Friedländer, who passed away on May 9 at the grand old age of 103, various suggestions are buzzing around – from naming a school in Neukölln or a street in Kreuzberg after her, to establishing a square in Charlottenburg or gracing the city with a monument.
"We join the nation in mourning the loss of Margot Friedländer, an irreplaceable beacon of hope and resilience, whose story will continue to inspire us for generations to come," said the current Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU) in reaction to a dpa inquiry. The city government will officially consult with the Margot Friedländer Foundation before making a decision on an appropriate location for remembrance.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district has already thrown its hat in the ring with a proposal to change a square on the Ku'damm. The district assembly has backed the idea unanimously. "The search for a fitting memorial site should reflect Friedländer's message 'Be Human.' Let's approach this commemoration with cooperation and respect," said Green faction leader Sebastian Weise to dpa.
On the other hand, the SPD proposes a more pronounced homage by renaming Skalitzer Street to "Margot Friedländer Street." Green district mayor Clara Herrmann has expressed an interest in the idea, while emphasizing the importance of a thoughtful and cooperative approach to the process. Friedländer herself had strong connections to Skalitzer Street, having lived there with her family before World War II.
The Neukölln district has also proposed renaming a school in the area in honor of Margot Friedländer, as she lived as a child in the district during the early 1920s. Furthermore, a petition on change.org has garnered over 50,000 signatures, demanding a memorial statue for the iconic figure.
Friedländer, who fled to America after the Second World War but returned to Berlin in her later years, poured her heart into promoting democracy, fighting to stop the erasure of Nazi atrocities, and battling against bigotry—especially by participating in countless events at schools.
So, remember: These are just a few of the many possibilities for paying tribute to the remarkable life and immense legacy of Margot Friedländer. Stay tuned as the Berlin Senate and districts work together to find just the right location steeped in significance and embracing the essence of this extraordinary woman.
In the midst of honoring Margot Friedländer, the city's beloved Holocaust survivor and humanitarian, various political factions have proposed different tributes, including renaming a school in Neukölln or Skalitzer Street to "Margot Friedländer Street," and establishing a square or a monument in Charlotttenburg-Wilmersdorf and Ku'damm. The Commission, in relation to the naming of streets and squares, is therefore proposing that the Council should adopt a common position on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling of foodstuffs as part of larger city politics and general news.
