Holocaust survivor inspires students: the voice of memory!

Holocaust survivor inspires students: the voice of memory!

Holocaust survivor Ernst Krakenberger, 84 years old, recently spoke at four vocational schools in Neuwied. The events took place at BBS Heinrich-Haus, the Ludwig-Erhard School, the Alice Salomon School and the David Roentgen School and were organized by the "House Israel Neuwied" association. Krakenberger is an impressive contemporary witness, whose life story the audience has very touched.

Krakenberger was born in the Netherlands in 1940 after his parents fled from Nuremberg in 1939. To ensure her survival, he had to live hidden with a Catholic family for the first four and a half years of his life. The experiences during the German occupation and the hunger winter of 1944/45 left deep traces with him. His parents survived four concentration camps, but they never spoke about their whole life. It wasn't until 1945 again.

an appeal for memory

In his lectures, Krakenberger emphasized the lasting importance of memory of the Holocaust. In a discussion about denial of the Holocaust, he advised the students to visit Auschwitz to get his own picture. His descriptions made it clear: the memory of this part of history is becoming increasingly important, especially in times when knowledge about the Holocaust is disappearing.

Those present showed great interest and asked numerous questions. The students also discussed the current political situation and the continued challenges of anti -Semitism. Krakenberger, who has lived in Germany since 1966, also said that he does not want to own a German passport, which illustrates his ambivalent relationship with this country.

At his home town in Nuremberg, nine stumbling blocks are reminiscent of his relatives, who did not survive the Nazi rule. These memorials are part of a broader initiative, which is supported by various organizations, including the "Make Their Memory Shine" initiative led by Ethan Bergman. This initiative has mobilized volunteers in over 92 cities from 23 countries since 2021 to clean stumbling blocks and thus maintain the memory of the Holocaust victims.

The challenge of the culture of memory

The stumbling blocks are small concrete blocks with brass plaques placed at the places of the Holocaust victims. Unfortunately, the number of volunteers who participate in cleaning actions has decreased since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which indicates security concerns and vandalism. These problems are not only felt in Germany, but also in the Netherlands and Austria.

Nevertheless, the aim of these initiatives remains the same: to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive and to build bridges between Jewish and fewer Jewish communities. How Christa Wolf aptly put it: "The past is not dead. It hasn't even passed." This applies especially to the Holocaust, whose victims and perpetrators will soon no longer live. The variety of German biographies must be taken into account in the Holocaust discussion in order to promote a comprehensive and integrative memory culture.

Talking about Auschwitz and anti -Semitism can be seen as a key to a better understanding of human dignity. The challenges that arise from the heterogeneity of society all require to deal with the history and its meaning.

Krakenberger and committed from the Holocaust memorial initiatives ensure that history is not forgotten, but that the teachings remain tangible for future generations. The call to memory is not only an obligation towards the victims, but also a contribution to a more tolerant society.