Stumbling Stones
Since 1995, Cologne-based artist Gunter Demnig has been commemorating the victims of the German Nazi regime with his project “Stolpersteine” – Stumbling Stones. All over Germany, the artist placed small, brass plaques known as “stumbling stones” (or Stolpersteine in German) in front of the workplace or homes where the victims lived before they were deported to concentration and extermination camps during World War II. Each Stolperstein is engraved with the victim’s name, their date of birth, date of deportation, and fate. By placing these plaques in front of the victims’ former homes, the project seeks to make their experiences more tangible and to keep their memories alive. Voluntary initiatives in numerous cities in Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands have been supporting the project since its beginning.