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Tag: Erinnerung
They Are Meant to Make You Stumble – and Think
Thousands of Stolpersteine, literally stumbling stones, are found in central Europe. They are a reminder of missing or killed people during the Nazi era. These particular five in Ladenburg are of the family Kaufmann who were deported to Gurs in France, where Mathilde Kaufmann died. The other four family members, Meta, Luise, Julie, and Sally were murdered in Auschwitz.
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Questionable Memories
I’ve always been skeptical about war memorials. They usually reek of pathos if not bathos and I question the motives behind them.
I came across this rather odd war memorial in Bad Dürkheim. It’s in memory of the participants of the Franco-Prussian war. The participants – not the fallen as is more common – are listed with their military regiment, and a curt “gefallen” if they didn’t return. Even worse, in my mind, is the use of the ditto mark ” – not just for the same regiment but also for the word “gefallen” as if in such a monumental glorification set in stone they had to economise with letters.
On one side the non-combatants are listed, I suppose these are the financiers of this war. But what is even more disconcerting to me is the fact that this memorial was erected 40 years after the war, which resulted in the formation of the German empire, only three years before the next one, the so-called “Great War”. Almost as if a new generation was being prepared for the ultimate sacrifice. Of course, I say this with hindsight but it gives the impression of a fractured relationship with history.
The Cosmic Photo Challenge: In Memory
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Throw her to the top
Not very idiomatic but at least it is better than being thrown to the floor by Pontius Pilate. 😀
And it is topical. On my birthday I am indulging myself with an old photo of mine. I was four or five years old and I still remember being scared. And exhilarated.
This is my twentyfourth square for Becky’s April Square Challenge.
Stones to make you stumble in your heart
In places all over Germany and other European countries one can find Stolpersteine – cobblestones called “stumbling stones” or “stumbling blocks”, commemorating victims of National Socialism near places where they lived or worked. After almost 30 years, these stones now number several ten thousands and more are added almost on a daily basis. More information about the project can be found here.
The initiator likes to quote a child who said about his remembrance project: “You don’t trip on a STOLPERSTEIN, you stumble with your head and your heart.”
For Cosmic Photo Challenge: Set in Stone.
Smile on Chuckles
I didn’t know her but this plaque on a bench overlooking Roker Beach in Sunderland made me smile. What a great way to be remembered – by passing your smile on to complete strangers.
This is for The Daily Post asking for smiles.
pictures imperfect blog 