Cottbus commemorates the night of the pogrom: a symbol against anti-Semitism

Cottbus commemorates the night of the pogrom: a symbol against anti-Semitism

On November 7th, 2025, the pogrom night of 1938 will be remembered in Cottbus. A memorial event will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the former synagogue on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, not far from the municipal utilities. This important event is organized by the city of Cottbus in collaboration with the Jewish community. The aim is not only to remember the historical crimes, but also to send a strong message against anti-Semitism. The focus is on the local culture of remembrance.

The pogrom night, which took place on November 9, 1938, was marked by brutal riots. In Cottbus, the synagogue on Jahrstrasse (today Stadtforum K) burned, while Jewish shops were looted and the cemetery desecrated. The Jewish community was almost completely wiped out. These terrible events illustrate how important it is to keep their memories alive.

Program and participation

Pupils and brass players from the Evangelisches Gymnasium Cottbus will take an active part in the memorial service. Mayor Tobias Schick will emphasize the importance of commemoration. This participation of young people shows how much the responsibility to stand up for a better future should be anchored in the consciousness of the next generation.

In addition to the main event, there will be a comprehensive exhibition entitled “Eight Jewish Children from Cottbus” on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. This will take place together with the performance of the play “Anne” in the house on Erich Kästner Platz. Admission to this additional event is free and is aimed at anyone interested.

Call for participation

The commemoration event on November 7th gives everyone the opportunity to take part in a significant event. It is important to hold on to these memories together and learn lessons from the past - especially in times when we are confronted with new anti-Semitism. The venue is centrally located and easily accessible, which should encourage broad participation.

Similar commemorative events have already taken place in the past, such as the one on November 8, 2024, in which Mayor Tobias Schick and numerous citizens took part. Flowers were placed on the memorial plaque of the former synagogue, and students from the Evangelical High School reported on their excursions to memorial sites to keep the cruel history alive.

In this sense, we all have a responsibility to keep memories alive and to stand up against hatred and intolerance. It is up to us to do our part to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. Visit the memorial event and join us in setting an example for peace and humanity.

For more information, see reports from Niederlausitz Current and Evangelical High School Cottbus.