Commemoration in Ladeburg: Day of Remembrance for Peace and Reconciliation

Commemoration in Ladeburg: Day of Remembrance for Peace and Reconciliation

On November 16, 2025, a solemn commemoration event for Remembrance Day will take place in Ladeburg. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the cenotaph on the village green. On this day, the victims of both world wars are the focus of remembrance. Mayor André Stahl and mayor Jens Thaute will lay a wreath as part of the celebrations. This year, Remembrance Day, which plays an important role in German remembrance, has a special meaning, as the memorial in Ladeburg has now been dedicated to the fallen sons of the community for 100 years.

What exactly is Remembrance Day? This day of remembrance, which was originally established in the Kingdom of Prussia in 1893, commemorates all those who lost their lives in armed conflicts and violent oppression. The modern form of Remembrance Day was launched in 1952 to recall the suffering of the war victims and has since established itself as an important day of silent remembrance. It is always celebrated two Sundays before the first Advent and is therefore around November 16th, the day of the celebration in Ladeburg.

Insights into the history of the monument

The memorial in Ladeburg has an eventful history. The original obelisk was erected in 1925 and was intended to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the First World War. However, in the post-war years, the monument was removed in 1954; only the foundation remained. The reconstruction of the memorial was initiated after the fall of communism by the Ladeburg e.V. business association and received great support from local craft businesses. So in 1995, 30 years after its original construction, it was ceremonially re-inaugurated, together with families, clubs and various representatives from politics and church.

This year there is also a particularly emotional context for commemoration. On November 4, 2025, Israel announced that it had returned the remains of IDF soldier Itay Chen, who was one of the last American citizens taken hostage during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Chen, who was just 19 years old and serving in a tank battalion, was killed during an attack on October 7, 2025. His death is part of a tragic story that illustrates the extent of the conflict, which makes the memory of the war victims all the more impressive.

Meaning and goal of commemoration

The goal of Remembrance Day is clear: it is about highlighting the suffering caused by wars and conflicts. It is a sign of peace, reconciliation and solidarity. The day is intended to remember the consequences of violence and oppression and to encourage insight so that we can shape a peaceful future together. The commemorations in Ladeburg are not only a look back at the past, but also a call to heed the lessons of history.

Remembrance Day is more than just a quiet day of remembrance - it is an appeal to all of us to work for peace and harmony and not to forget the events of the past. Come by, take part and take a stand against forgetting.