Sulzbach-Rosenberg: Commemoration of the victims of Kristallnacht 2025!

Sulzbach-Rosenberg: Commemoration of the victims of Kristallnacht 2025!

Today, November 9th, 2025, the city of Sulzbach-Rosenberg is flagging its town hall for an important reason: This day marks the anniversary of Kristallnacht. On the night of November 9th to 10th, 1938 there were brutal acts of violence against the Jewish population in the German Reich. During this dark time, it is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 Jews were murdered and there was widespread destruction of synagogues, prayer rooms, meeting rooms, shops, homes and cemeteries.

The memorial event of the SPD local association Sulzbach-Rosenberg and the city will take place at 6 p.m. in the former synagogue at Synagogenstrasse 9. A memento of these tragic events, which had even more far-reaching consequences from November 10, 1938 with the deportation of at least 30,000 people to concentration camps, is honored here. Many of the internees died or were executed due to the inhumane prison conditions, underscoring the brutality of the Nazi regime.

Various commemorative events

Various events take place throughout Germany on this day of remembrance to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. An exhibition with historical photo series documenting the crimes against the Jewish population is being presented in the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. State Parliament President André Kuper takes this opportunity to emphasize the importance of democracy, tolerance and humanity.

In Bonn, a public concert will be given in the opera house, where the Bonn Opera Ensemble will present works by composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich and Rosy Wertheim. In addition, a bicycle memorial trip was organized in Marl, during which participants stopped at several stumbling blocks to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. At the Brasserter market square, writer Hans van Ooyen will read a short story at 6 p.m. to keep the memories alive.

The importance of the culture of remembrance

January 27th, known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945 and is a central element of the German culture of remembrance. There are more than 300 memorial sites and Nazi documentation centers in Germany where students are educated about the history of National Socialism. This debate is particularly important because the systematic murder of six million European Jews and numerous other victims represents one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Nevertheless, the culture of remembrance in Germany faces challenges. While attention to remembrance work has increased in recent years, there are also reports of increasing anti-Semitic attacks and attacks on memorial sites. These developments show that discussions about the past and coming to terms with it continue to be necessary. The call for more responsibility in dealing with one's own history is becoming louder and louder, and personalities like Michel Friedman are calling for deeper reflection on the deeds of our ancestors.

In this respect, the anniversary of Kristallnacht is not only a moment of remembrance, but also an important occasion to reflect on the living culture of remembrance in Germany and to continually develop it further. November 9th remains not only a day of remembrance, but also a call to actively engage with history and social responsibility.

Further information about today's commemorative events can be found at Suro, WDR and DW.