The Society for Remembrance Culture is once again organising commemorative walks to the Stolpersteine in Graz this school year – these stones commemorate people who were murdered, deported, displaced or dispossessed under the Nazi regime. For school pupils in particular, this is an engaging and effective way to learn about the horrors of Nazism through the personal stories of victims from their own city or the surrounding area, whilst also exploring other aspects such as the treatment of minorities, moral courage, or flight and migration – all topics that remain relevant today.
This service is free of charge for school classes and student groups. We are, of course, always grateful for donations.
The desired route (e.g. Annenviertel, near the synagogue, the city centre or Herz-Jesu-Viertel, if possible starting directly in front of the school) and the duration of the tour can be arranged individually. As experience has shown that we receive many enquiries during the final school weeks in June/July but have limited capacity, we ask that, where possible, you do not leave it too late to book a date.
To get in touch and book a date,
please contact cultural mediator Thomas Stoppacher: thomasstoppacher@gmx.at or 0664/4781966.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEMORIAL WALKS:
In July 2013, the Society for Remembrance Culture in Graz implemented the ‘Stolpersteine’ project by the Cologne-based artist Gunter Demnig for the first time in Graz. This project commemorates the lives of those who were murdered, deported, expelled, driven to suicide or affected by ‘Aryanisation’ expropriations under National Socialism.
It commemorates both Jewish victims and those who were victims of political, religious or ethnic persecution, who were murdered because of their sexual orientation, for refusing military service, or because their lives were deemed “worthless” (so-called “euthanasia”).
To share this remembrance with many others, and particularly with young people, the society offers commemorative walks for school groups, students, teachers, educational institutions and other interested groups. By focusing clearly on the individual life stories of those we commemorate with Stolpersteine, we seek to keep alive the history of these former residents of Graz who, in various ways, became victims during the Nazi era.
These commemorative walks, designed to be suitable for all ages, are intended to contribute to a new culture of remembrance and commemoration that makes it easier to engage with history without suppressing or forgetting it. Through an empathetic approach based on engaging with individual biographies, the focus is placed on people’s lives and their fates under the Nazi dictatorship, whilst abstract ‘history book facts’ about persecution and expulsion play a secondary role.
The Stolpersteine serve as a memorial against human rights violations and crimes. They call for treating all people with openness and positivity, regardless of their origin, social and religious affiliation or sexual orientation.
This offer is free of charge for youth groups (subject to funding availability). The scope and duration will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. However, a voluntary donation to support the work of the Society for Remembrance Culture in Graz is always welcome.
For adult groups, the price is €5 per person, with a minimum charge of €80. Discounts for clubs and similar organisations are available on request.
Please contact cultural mediator Thomas Stoppacher to arrange a visit: thomasstoppacher@gmx.at or 0664/4781966.