Sculpture for memory: Remscheid sets signs of reconciliation
Sculpture for memory: Remscheid sets signs of reconciliation
Remscheid inaugurated an important work of art on May 6, 2025, which acts as a sign of reconciliation with the Jewish people. The sculpture of the Jewish artist Gad Frank is now on Quimperplatz and is reminiscent of the National Socialist tyranny. The inauguration took place under special circumstances, since only 15 out of 30 invited Israeli guests were able to achieve the celebration. Many flights had been canceled after rocket fragments from Yemen had hit the airport in Tel Aviv. This was regretted by Hans-Heinz Schumacher, chairman of the Association of Memorial and Education Stable.
The celebrations for the unveiling of the six meter high sculpture began on Tuesday morning. Despite the difficult arrival opportunities, Shachar Frank, the artist's nephew, managed to take part in the ceremony with his children. He was lucky enough to get two seats that have not started on a flight and traveled in the cockpit. The family arrived in Frankfurt on Monday morning and continued their trip to Remscheid.
symbolism and design
The sculpture consists of over 700 components that were welded together in a workshop. It symbolizes the dark past of Germany, the resurrection and peace. Mayor Burkhard Mast-Weisz recognized Gad Frank for his outstanding human achievements. At the same time, Hans-Heinz Schumacher appealed to the city's students to get involved in democracy and regularly take part in such memorial events.
Artour Gourari from the Jewish cultural community Wuppertal emphasized the responsibility in his speech, which goes hand in hand with the memory. He called not to be silent and emphasized the significant role of memory.
financing of the monument
The realization of the monument was financed exclusively by donations. A crowdfunding project that started in cooperation with the Volksbank in the Bergisches Land, supports the initiative. For each donation that goes through the platform, the Volksbank puts an additional 5 euros. The initiators call for support from donations and sharing the project to secure the important monument for the future.
In view of the questions that are currently relevant to socially relevant, it is crucial to raise awareness of the Nazi past. A study that contains the "multidimensional memory monitor" (memo) shows that 90 % of the respondents reject comparisons between suffering during corona pandemic and the Nazi suffering. This illustrates how important it is to learn from history and actively counteract history revisionism.In times when many Germans are interested in dealing with the Nazi past, but there are still knowledge gaps in terms of the sacrificial group and the extent of the perpetrator, creating and care of memorial locations such as the new monument in Remscheid is more important than ever. They promote social cohesion and commemorate the responsibility that we bear for the future.
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