15.05.2020
Editorial Staff
The laying of the last “Stolpersteine” (stumbling stones) in Themar had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The association “Themar Meets Europe” is hoping for donations for the project.
Themar – Since 2013, pedestrians in Themar have been “stumbling” over small, shiny stones embedded in the pavement. Anyone who wants to read the inscriptions has to stop and bend down slightly. Names and dates only hint at the fate suffered by the people – Jewish Themar residents murdered by the Nazis – whose memory this memorial is intended to commemorate.
Since then, 52 such stones have been set into the pavement by the performance artist Gunter Demnig from Cologne at twelve locations in the town, each of which was the last place of residence chosen by the residents. This was always done with the participation of the people of Themar and their guests, and often with the participation of descendants of the former Jewish citizens of Themar .
On May 19, a total of twelve stones were to be laid on Schulstraße and Friedensstraße. The virus put a stop to this plan. Both the town twinning association ” Themar Meets Europe” and the performance artist Gunter Demnig and his team had to abandon their plans. The descendants of the families who wanted to come to Themar were also unable to make the trip.
“So we’re hoping for next year, so we can lay the remaining stumbling blocks. This way, we’ll remember our former neighbors, friends, and business partners, and the crimes committed against them in Themar. Our goal is to remember all the residents who fell victim to the Nazi racial madness in Themar. This project is still to be completed, and we thank everyone who has supported us so far. We still need this support for the final season,” says Sabine Müller, chairwoman of Themar meets Europe.
The association would be grateful for any support. Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to transfer any amount to the following account:
Themar meets Europe e. V.
IBAN: DE 36 840 948 145 504 129 644
BIC: GENODEF 1 SHL,
Keyword: Stolpersteine.
Each stone costs 120 euros, but even smaller amounts help toward completion. A donation would help secure funding for the final Stolpersteine.
The words of former Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker, “whoever closes his eyes to the past will become blind to the present,” are a warning and a call to be vigilant, especially in our day, against historical amnesia and indifference.