Forst commemorates Kristallnacht: Stumbling blocks for the Miodowskis

Forst commemorates Kristallnacht: Stumbling blocks for the Miodowskis

On November 10, 2025, a moving memorial event to commemorate Kristallnacht took place in Forst (Lausitz). The event, which has now been celebrated for the 87th time, offered citizens the opportunity to pause and think about the persecution and disenfranchisement of Jewish citizens during the National Socialist tyranny. The event began at 11 a.m. in front of the former home of the Jewish Miodowski family at Cottbuser Straße 17 and was organized by the city of Forst, the Evangelical Community of the Region Forst and the Stolpersteine working group, as [Forst Lausitz](https://www.forst-lausitz.de/gedenk Veranstaltung-mit-der-stolpersteinverlegenung-in-erinnerung-an-die-reichspogromnacht.175027.htm) reported.

Mayor Simone Taubenek opened the event with sensitive words of remembrance. Mr. Koch from the Spree-Neiße district and Pastor Simon Klaas also contributed to the ceremony. The students of the Gutenberg High School impressed with a project about the Miodowski family, which they worked with the artist Nils Oskamp to implement. This presentation included both informative and artistic contributions.

Stumbling blocks as a memorial

The focus of the event was the laying of stumbling blocks to commemorate the victims of anti-Semitic violence and symbolically bring back their names. As Niederlausitz Aktuell reports, these stumbling blocks were laid exactly in front of the Miodowski family's home. To honor the victims, those present placed floral arrangements. The musical accompaniment by Lisa Temesvari gave the event a special atmosphere and underlined the deep concern of those present.

This memorial event is more than an act of remembrance; it sets an example against forgetting and the need to actively promote humanity and tolerance. The call was made to advocate for an open, respectful society. In this context, an invitation was issued to all citizens to raise their voices against everyday anti-Semitism and for a democratic society.

A look beyond the borders of Forst

However, the memorial event in Forst was not the only one that recalled this dark part of history. Various events also took place in other cities around November 9th and 10th. For example, an alliance in Solingen organized an event on the site of the former synagogue, while an exhibition with historical photos of crimes against the Jewish population was opened in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. Such initiatives demonstrate the shared responsibility to keep history alive and to resist any form of discrimination. According to WDR, various memorial trips and concerts also attracted numerous visitors who showed solidarity with the victims.

In view of these various commemorative actions, it is clear that the issue of remembering the Shoah is of central importance for society. Commemorative events, like the one in Forst, advance the dialogue about tolerance and humanity and call on us to show active commitment and promote an open, democratic society.