Honorary citizenship of the city of Chemnitz awarded to Justin Sonder
Ceremony in the City Council Chamber of the New Town Hall
The City of Chemnitz today awarded Justin Sonder honorary citizenship at a ceremony in the City Council Chamber in recognition of his tireless commitment as one of the last contemporary witnesses to keep alive the memory of the atrocities committed by the National Socialist regime.
Numerous guests such as honorary citizens, members of the federal and state parliaments and the city council, representatives from business and sport as well as Justin Sonder's companions, friends and family were present at the ceremony. Justin Sonder also signed the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz.
Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "Justin Sonder has made it his life's work to ensure that the Holocaust is not repeated. This is why he is receiving our city's highest honour."
Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, concluded his laudatory speech with the words "Justin Sonder is a person who inspires hope. And that is why it is a day that gives hope."
In his acceptance speech, Justin Sonder himself wished his home town "first and foremost peace". There should be no place for hatred, violence and anti-Semitism. "Chemnitz, I call out to you: You shall flourish and prosper!"
Jette Bodenstein and Luan Qalaku, Year 11 pupils at Georgius-Agricola-Gymnasium, recalled Justin Sonder's visit in 2015 in the then Year 9 class. "What happened during this time cannot be undone, but we have understood that we bear responsibility for our time, that inhuman systems must not be given a chance."
The award of honorary citizenship was proposed by DIE LINKE, CDU/FDP, SPD, Bündnis 90/Grüne, the VOSI/PIRATEN parliamentary group and the Lord Mayor. The explanatory statement for the proposal, which was approved by the City Council on 25 January 2017, states: "In particular, Justin Sonder's tireless commitment is honoured, with which he, as one of the few Auschwitz survivors and one of the last contemporary witnesses, keeps the memory of the atrocities of the National Socialist regime alive. He vividly conveys to future generations the extent of this crime against humanity and the almost unimaginable, perfidious machinery of murder. At the same time, he thematises the responsibility of the individual within such a system. In this way, Justin Sonder not only bears witness time and again, but also demonstrates with his example that peace and democracy require the co-operation of people at all times. He experienced the cruel consequences that can result when marginalisation, hatred and anti-Semitism become socially acceptable. Justin Sonder's motivation is to keep the memory alive so that history does not repeat itself.
Justin Sonder was preceded by former Lord Mayor Peter Seifert in November 2016 and former figure skating coach Jutta Müller in 2008, who received the city's highest honour.