(from left): Wolfgang Heitner of Pro Stolpersteine, student Marcin Stucke, artist Jochen Meyder, Association Chairman Friedrich Engelke, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Salat, Vice-President for Partnerships and Society at HFU, HFU Prof. Dr. Edgar Seemann and Mayor Detlev Bührer
Unveiling of a commemorative stele by Pro Stolpersteine – Furtwangen University is academic partner
A “Book of Remembrance” memorial stele was recently erected at the Schwenningen Forest Cemetery. The Pro Stolpersteine Villingen-Schwenningen association presented the project during a formal dedication ceremony. Furtwangen University (HFU) supported the initiative, particularly with regard to digital processing and the development of teaching and learning materials.
The Book of Remembrance is an interactive memorial book for the victims of National Socialism from Villingen-Schwenningen. It is dedicated to the more than six hundred people who lost their lives during the Nazi regime, including Jewish citizens, forced labourers and those persecuted for political or religious reasons. The memorial stele was designed by the Münsingen artist Jochen Meyder. It is located in Graveyard Section C1 near the graves of forced labourers, their children and victims of euthanasia and concentration camps. There is also a memorial wall in the graveyard section.
In his speech, Mayor Detlev Bührer emphasised that the Book of Remembrance adds another layer to the site, which already commemorates the victims of Nazi tyranny in many ways. The memorial stele rounds out the theme and invites people to look, read and share knowledge. “What makes the Book of Remembrance special is that it is intended to be open-ended. New findings will continuously supplement and further refine it,” said Bührer.
Democracy as a promise
The book is based on information about persecuted and deported individuals from the area now covered by the regional centre, which has been collected since 2013 by the Pro Stolpersteine VS e.V. association. The Chairman, Friedrich Engelke, was himself employed at HFU for over 30 years. In his speech, he spoke about his very personal connection to the topic emphasising that democracy is not a gift one receives only once, but a promise. “Everyone must work to uphold it every day,” said Engelke. He urged those present to pay attention, speak up and take action, concluding his remarks with a moment of silence.
The memorial stele features the book on display, which is supplemented by a digital database containing numerous biographies. The database can be easily accessed via QR codes on the book’s pages. HFU Professor Dr. Edgar Seemann and student Marcin Stucke were responsible for its implementation.
Interested parties are welcome to contribute to the ongoing development of the memorial book − for example, by providing information on additional stories or by submitting documents and testimonies.
The “Book of Remembrance” database: External link opens in a new window:https://buch-des-erinnerns.villingen-schwenningen.de/bde/