Nuremberg is the city where I was born, where I live and that gives this blog its name. It is also the city where in the 1930’s the infamous Nazi party rallies were held. In 1933, Hitler declared Nuremberg the “City of the Reichsparteitage (Reich Party Congresses)”. The rally grounds and buildings, designed by Hitler’s architect Albert Speer, still exist, reminding us every day about the terror of the Nazi regime that culminated in the Holocaust and the horrors of World War II.
Both of my kids had the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivors in events organized by their schools, and everyone I met who had the chance to participate in panel discussions with survivors of Auschwitz, Dachau and other death camps, was deeply impressed by the stories those survivors could tell. But those who lived to tell about the horrors of the concentration camps more than seventy years ago, become less and less, and it will not be long until the last of those voices will remain silent forever.
In times where – in my country and in others – individuals, who deny or trivialize the Holocaust, can be elected to public office, we all have to stand together to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, genocide and xenophobia in this world. And when the last of the Holocaust survivors has passed, we need to remember and make sure this gruesome history does not repeat itself.
#WeRemember is a campaign reaching out to millions of people across the globe to photograph themselves holding a #WeRemember sign, and post the image to social media, to help spread the message as widely as possible. All participant images will be projected live at an event in Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27th, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I wish all of you a peaceful weekend!
Marcus
Powerful words my friend for a time full of pain and terror. I respect you for making a stand for all of us who remember about this terrible time, for it must never happen again. I wish I would have seen your post earlier.
Thank you, my friend, your words mean so much! Marcus
As yours do for me 😉
🙂
Powerful post and movement Marcus! I was in Dachau in 2014 and it was a humbling feeling to walk around the camp and on the grounds where the souls of so many had suffered so much. A cause like #weremember makes sure that we stay vigilent.
Thank you so much for your great words, Michelle, this is so much appreciated! I visited Dachau when I was a student, and it was a very emotional visit. Both my kids visited there as well with their schools. In Nuremberg we have a documentary center on the rally grounds that addresses the Nazi terrors and the history in our city. Here is the link if you want to take a look. https://museums.nuernberg.de/documentation-center/
Marcus
Such a moving post Marcus!
Thank you so much, Amy, it means a lot! Marcus
Marcus, how moving to read your message, particularly because you are a German. The atrocities of the Nazi’s went far beyond the Holocaust. They made so many civilian and military victims, it boggles the mind. I was born during World War II and I am a war-victim. The war influenced my life in a very dramatical way.
During the early 70’s of last century I lived and worked in Germany. During that period my colleagues and neighbours denied the existance of history. Nowadays that has changed, fortunately. And your post is proof of a German people who are aware of the pitfalls of politics. I wish that were common knowledge to all people. We must remember, we may never forget to what our species is capable. And we must make sure that coming generations also know. Once again thank you.
Thanks so much for your comment, Jim, you found the perfect words that move me! Glad our paths have crossed! Marcus
We should never stop remembering, to make sure it never happens again, which hopefully it never will 🙂 Lynne
Thanks, Lynne, for your perfect words! Marcus
Great post, and very thoughtfully written.
Thanks, Jill, for your kind words! Marcus
An insightful and moving post Marcus. We should always remember.
Thanks for your great words, Marion, they are so much appreciated! Marcus
We do need to still remember. Many years ago I visited Auschwitz. I can still remember that experience. Then, in 2010, I visited Berlin, including Grunewald and the Holocaust Memorial only a few blocks away from Brandenburger Tor. You are right, we need to remember, even more nowadays. Thanks for your post. Moving! Heartfelt. And much needed, especially today. #WeRemember
Thank you, Alina, for your heartwarming words, they mean so much! Marcus
Thank you for speaking out, Marcus!
I grew up in Bavaria and throughout my youth little was discussed about recent historical events… Once I emigrated to Canada in my early 20s I began to read (access to historical books then was much easier than in Europe) and I have never stopped educating myself… We cannot allow ourselves to ever forget or support those who deny and/or trivialize anti-semitism. The world is in a precarious state and the only way to stand up is to speak up! I applaud you!
Thank you so much for your comment, Anna, your words and thoughts are so much appreciated! Marcus
A very moving, thoughtful blog post and I am glad I read it today as now the news story I just saw on TV about the Holocaust today has more context.
Thanks for your kind words, Mikki, it means so much!
Well said, Marcus
Thanks, Sue 😊🙏
I totally agree Marcus, thank you for this post. Those who deny this history should never be elected to public positions. Be well Marcus and family. ❤️
Thanks, John, your comment means so much! Marcus
I fully agree. Respect.
Last year I visited (again) the exhibition at the Reichsparteitagsgelände in Nuremberg and yes, indeed … one can see that more and more of the symptoms, the wordings and the handlings can be recognized in todays global politics, (anti-)social media and the growing public nationalism.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Reinhold, much appreciated! Marcus