Commemoration of the victims of the 1938 pogrom night
Wreath-laying ceremony at the stele on Stephanplatz: Friday, 8 November 2019, 12 noon Discussion about Jewish life in Chemnitz today, 1.30 pm
To commemorate and remember the Jewish citizens of the city who were victims of the fascist pogrom night on 9 November 1938 or who were murdered in the following years during the fascist tyranny, the City of Chemnitz will hold a commemorative event at the stele on Stephanplatz on Friday, 8 November 2019 at 12 noon. The commemoration will open with a wreath-laying ceremony at the stele.
The welcoming address by Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig will be followed by a commemorative speech by the Chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Chemnitz, Dr Ruth Röcher. The choir of the Jewish Community of Chemnitz will provide artistic and musical accompaniment to the memorial service.
Following this event, there will be a discussion about Jewish life in Chemnitz today at 1.30 pm in the new synagogue in the community hall, to which the people of Chemnitz are also cordially invited.
Traffic information:
In order to be able to hold the commemorative event at the stele on Stephanplatz in a dignified and quiet setting appropriate to the occasion, i.e. without traffic noise from the main roads directly adjacent to the memorial site, Reichsstraße will be completely closed between Zwickauer Straße and Weststraße on 8 November from 11 am until the end of the event at 2 pm. Road users are asked to take a wide detour around the area via Hartmannstraße/Theaterstraße or Falkeplatz/Zwickauer Straße. The event will be additionally secured by the Chemnitz Police Department with operational measures. CVAG will announce any changes to bus services separately.
Background:
The famous Chemnitz Synagogue stood on Stephanplatz, the traditional location of the annual commemoration event organised by the City of Chemnitz together with the Jewish Community of Chemnitz, until its destruction on the night of the pogrom in 1938. The new house of worship of the Jewish community of Chemnitz was consecrated on 24 May 2002 on the Kapellenberg at Stollberger Straße 28. In 2010, the Jewish community of Chemnitz celebrated its 125th anniversary.