This article was posted on June 8, 2022, to the internet version of the Magdeburg, Germany, newspaper Volkstimme [Translator note: The People’s Voice]. The original German-language article, written by Stefan Harter, describes an event sponsored by the Memorial Stones [Translator note: the word ‘stolperstein’ means literally, ‘stumbling block/stone.’ I have based my translation on the ultimate significance behind the stones] for Magdeburg action group, during which thirty-four specially designed stones were embedded in sidewalks to memorialize the lives of Magdeburgers who fell victim to Nazi atrocities in World War Two. A point to be drawn from the article is that, although the Jews felt the brunt of these atrocities as evidenced by the Holocaust, a host of others who were deemed to be ‘non-desirables,’ also suffered the loss of their lives at the hands of the Nazis.

To add context to the article, a truncated version of the explanation for designating these markers as ‘stumbling blocks/stones,’ according to the German website, https://www.juraforum.de/lexikon/stolperstein, follows: “There are stumbling stones that should really only cause the mind to stumble…The Cologne artist [behind the project], Gunter Demnig, always installs his stumbling stones in a public space where the Fascists, while in power, took Jewish citizens from their homes, loaded them on trucks, and transferred them to jails and extermination camps. They are a permanent reminder of the abduction and murder of Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communists, and Socialists. [Translator note: Of course, in addition to the categories cited here, those who were considered to have mental or physical deficiencies were also ‘euthanized,’ which was the circumstance in the case of Ruth Mühlmann (below), according to first-hand testimony.]…

“On every stumbling stone, the name of the person affected is inscribed…The intention of these stones is that passers-by, in a metaphorical sense, ‘stumble’ over the fate of the Holocaust victims…Every stumbling stone assures that no Jewish victim of Fascism will be forgotten.”

Translation of the Volkstimme article follows [translation by LOC]:

Thirty-four new memorial stones were laid in Magdeburg. They recall the victims of National Socialism in front of their former residences.

Magdeburg – Numerous new memorial stones were laid in Magdeburg on June 8, 2022. As the action group “Memorial Stones for Magdeburg” shared, another 34 memorial stones found a place on Magdeburg sidewalks. The stones recall residents of Magdeburg who were carried off by the Nazis [Translator note: literally, ‘National Socialists’] and murdered. In this way, twelve different places in three city districts received new memorial stones.

At the laying of the 34 memorial stones, there were again relatives of the victims of National Socialism from the U.S. and from Israel. For the first time this was again possible since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. So, for example, at the laying of a memorial stone for Ruth Mühlmann at 37 Walbecker Street. Relatives from the U.S., great nieces, Ilka and Sylke Knüppel, and a close friend of the family, William Prunka, attended the ceremony.

Arrival from Israel

Similarly, a grandson of the Crohn family, whose memorial stone-laying concluded the day’s activity, arrived specially from Israel in order to personally attend the laying of the memorial stone in memory of his grandparents in Magdeburg’s Werder district.

At the laying of the stones, the participants of the “Memorial Stones for Magdeburg” action group thanked outgoing mayor Lutz Trümper for his support of the activity. “He brought with him the firm connection of the Memorial Stone Activity to city hall, which led to any and all support guaranteed to it there, which was necessary. This was a strong common sign against every form of antisemitism and racism,” the group explained in its invitation.

Last Addresses as Location

The stone-laying took the members of the city’s “Memorial Stones for Magdeburg” action group, accompanied by the civil engineering department, to the city’s Sudenburg, Altstadt, and Werder districts. The stones were embedded in the sidewalks, respectively, in places where the former homes of those who were abducted stood or still stand. It always involves the place of residence with the last known address of the victims.

At every place a memorial stone was placed, respectively, a few words were said by the group’s members at the residence or at the location, should the residence no longer exist. Each person’s biographical information, sometimes researched months before, was read. Götz Baerthold provided music for the ceremony.

Artist comes to Magdeburg

The next stone-laying activity is planned for September 26, 2022. The group reports that on this day Gunter Demnig, the initiator of the “memorial stones,” will also come to Magdeburg and bring the next stones himself.