From DW Documentary.

‘Stolpersteine’, or ‘stumbling stones’ placed in the pavement commemorate the victims of Nazism. The squares are made of brass and measure 10cm x 10cm. More than 100,000 of these memorial plaques have been laid in over 30 countries.

It’s the largest decentralized memorial in the world. The project, launched in the 1990s by German artist Gunter Demnig, continues to grow. This documentary tells some of the personal stories behind the stones.

Most of the inscriptions on the stumbling stones begin with the words: "Here lived". This is followed by a name and the key dates of a life. Gunter Demnig laid the first ‘Stolpersteine’ in Germany to commemorate the deportation and murder of the Sinti and Roma. This has resulted in a memorial to all victims of National Socialism – supported by the commitment of citizens, who research the history of those who used to live in their neighborhood. Many enquiries now come from all over the world.

Interviews and emotional accounts reveal the significance of the project, particularly for the younger generation and their memory of the Holocaust and Nazi crimes.

But not everyone is in favor: in Munich, Paris and other cities, residents and local authorities oppose the laying of ‘Stolpersteine’. The documentary raises awareness of issues surrounding the culture of remembrance. The film calls for a more intensive examination of the past, as well as of the lives commemorated by these small brass plaques.

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