Suche
Mein Konto
Commemoration in Weimar: Ecumenical service remembers the victims of Buchenwald
On July 18, 2025, an ecumenical service will take place in Weimar in memory of Pastor Paul Schneider and other victims of the Buchenwald concentration camp.
Commemoration in Weimar: Ecumenical service remembers the victims of Buchenwald
Today, July 18, 2025, an ecumenical service in Weimar commemorates the tragic murder of Pastor Paul Schneider, known as the “Preacher of Buchenwald.” In 1939, Schneider was executed by lethal injection in the Buchenwald concentration camp. The service, which will take place at 5:15 p.m. on the roll call area of the former concentration camp, also commemorates the murder of the Catholic priests Otto Neururer and Matthias Spanlang, who also died in Buchenwald 85 years ago. It is a contemplative event that invites you to reflect on the shadows of the past.
The service will be led by regional bishop Friederike Spengler, whose sermon will help keep the memory of these cruel events alive. This commemoration represents an important step in maintaining the memory of the victims of National Socialist persecution and highlighting the historical significance of the place. The Monument Foundation also supports such commemorative events in order to increase awareness of the events in the Buchenwald concentration camp.
Culture of remembrance and public relations
The importance of the culture of remembrance cannot be denied, and it is not just the church service that contributes to this: the Klassik-Stiftung Weimar is receiving 18 valuable prints on the 100th anniversary of the death of the artist Lovis Corinth. This donation comes from Hildegard and Herbert Wippel from Karlsruhe and is the donors' second donation. Corinth is considered an outstanding representative of impressionism in Germany and his works add another facet to the Weimar graphic collection.
However, there are also current challenges in the city. The NGG union is calling for the establishment of works councils for all Weimar companies. There are currently around 28,470 people working in around 1,790 companies, many of them without employee representation. This demand comes at a time when the “works council vacuum” has become an urgent issue.
Shocking events in Weimar
The police also reported an incident during the night in which four officers were slightly injured. A 51-year-old resisted after attacking and stealing from a couple. The perpetrator was caught and the stolen wallet was also recovered. The man is now on trial for assault, theft and resisting law enforcement officers.
Such incidents highlight the challenges facing Weimar and illustrate that the city must deal with both the past and the present. In this area of tension, the ecumenical service becomes a sign of hope and remembrance of the victims of cruel history, while current issues must not be pushed into the background.