Baden-Baden cleans stumbling blocks: memory for the victims of the Nazi regime

Baden-Baden cleans stumbling blocks: memory for the victims of the Nazi regime

Something is happening in Baden-Baden: The city is planning to build a new synagogue, but dealing with the property of the former synagogue on Stephanienstrasse is currently a hot topic. The inadequate measures have been sharply criticized not only by the public but also by various Jewish organizations. They demand a restoration of the dignity of the place, where the Ertl family who own it have so far proven to be uncooperative. The question arises here: How much symbolic politics is still acceptable?

An important step towards commemoration will be taken on November 19, 2025, when a cleaning campaign of the stumbling blocks at Sonnenplatz takes place. Organized by the Israelite Community and the Stolpersteine ​​Working Group, this campaign falls during the week of Jewish Mitzvah Day - a day that stands for good deeds. During the cleaning campaign, Rabbi Naftoli Surovtsev and members of the working group will appear alongside students to remember the victims of the Nazi regime. Students will also actively support and make a donation as part of the campaign.

Stumbling blocks: remembering in everyday life

Stolpersteine ​​are the work of the German artist Gunter Demnig, who began this civil society project in 1992. The small, 10 x 10 cm concrete cubes with brass plaques bear the names and dates of life of victims of National Socialist persecution. With around 116,000 stones in 31 countries, including almost 250 in Baden-Baden, they are the largest decentralized monument in the world. These small sculptures are intended to remind us of the last freely chosen place of residence, place of work or study of the persecuted and to leave a deep impression on everyday life. The name “Stolperstein” alludes to the fact that passers-by stumble over them and are thus made aware of the story.

The stumbling blocks are intended in particular for Holocaust victims, but also for Sinti, Roma, homosexuals, the disabled and Jehovah's Witnesses. The locations are often researched by students, teachers or history organizations. Financing comes from donations, public funds or initiatives in schools, with the price for a sponsorship for a stumbling block having increased to 120 euros. The city administration also offers a digital “Memorial Book for the Victims of National Socialism in Baden-Baden” in which information about those persecuted can be accessed.

Commemorate together

The Stolpersteine ​​Memorial Day becomes a special event through city actions and the voluntary participation of citizens. Anyone with a heart for history can take part in the cleaning campaign, regardless of the opening event. The question now arises as to whether actions such as the cleaning campaign and the construction of the synagogue are enough to eradicate the injustices suffered. What does the city hope to achieve from these initiatives, and what can a forgivable approach to history look like?

Coming to terms with the past remains an ongoing theme, especially in cities like Baden-Baden. The responsibility here lies with citizens to come together and raise their voices for those who can no longer speak. After all, the memory is kept alive not only by the stumbling blocks, but also by the courage and initiative of the local residents. Perhaps Baden-Baden will soon be an example of how to give new dignity to the stumbling blocks and the life they represent.