A Stone of Remembrance for the Victims of Forced Labor in Viersen Unveiled
The Boundary of Recollection
Let's chat about the latest addition to Viersen, a city in Germany. The city's heart now beats with a new memorial, the Stone of Remembrance for the Victims of Forced Labor, situated right next to the City Hall, with the Municipal Gallery in the Park being just a stone's throw away. You can't miss it, as the "Strong Woman" by Georg Ettl also catches your eye, strolling through the park.
In her compelling speech, Mayor Sabine Anemueller highlighted the citizen-proposed relocation of this poignant tribute. The collaboration for this fortified monument was significant, with Jürgen Heimes from the initiative "Never Again", Beatrix Wolters from the "Viersen Heimat Care Association", and Manfred Budel from the "Association for the Promotion of Remembrance Culture Viersen 1933-1945" banding together. Their joint mission? Ensuring that the victim group of the Nazi dictatorship is never forgotten, honored appropriately, and knowledge about forced labor is disseminated far and wide.
The memorial stands 1.2 meters wide, surrounded by basalt stones, aligning with the specifications of Gunter Demnig. You might recognize Demnig's name from his other works- traces in Viersen, in the form of Stolpersteine. The stones remember those who once resided and worked in Viersen, individuals who were later systematically persecuted, expelled, or murdered during the Nazi dictatorship.
"Now," said the Mayor, "this heavily-frequented path in the Viersen city center hosts a Memorial Curb between the City Hall and the Gallery in the Park, dedicated to an entire victim group." It's not just a curb in size, but powerful in its message, serving as another vital piece of Viersen's culture of remembrance. "Just like the Stolpersteine in our city, this curb should remind us and serve as a warning - never to forget the past suffering, injustice, and coercion, exclusion, and death," concluded Sabine Anemueller.
Finally, she reminded us, "We cannot undo the wrong and horror. But we can give back names and dignity to those who experienced it in Viersen over eight decades ago, by assuring them of our remembrance."
Now that you've learned about the Memorial Curb for Forced Labor Victims in Viersen and its significance, take a moment to appreciate its power in preserving the memory of those who faced unimaginable hardships during a dark period in history. Remember, knowledge is our best defense against repeating the mistakes of the past. 💛🌐🕊️
In the realm of general news, the unveiling of the Memorial Curb for Forced Labor Victims in Viersen serves as a profound reminder, highlighting the city's commitment to preserving historical knowledge and ensuring that the mistreatment of the past is never repeated. This commemorative curb, a part of Viersen's culture of remembrance, also stands as a testament to the city's involvement in various war-and-conflicts related issues and its dedication to shedding light on the politics of the time, especially those surrounding the Nazi dictatorship.
