Gathering of Commemoration
In the heart of Düsseldorf, Germany, 19 students recently embarked on a unique educational journey, guided by sociology teacher Wolfgang A. Noethen. The city scavenger hunt, similar to geocaching in structure, aimed to educate participants about the historical events of the pogrom night, a series of coordinated attacks against Jews in Nazi Germany.
The project, originally planned as the conclusion of a project by Dieter-Forte comprehensive school in cooperation with the memorial and educational center of the city of Düsseldorf, took an interactive turn as students searched for Stolpersteine, memorial stones initiated by artist Gunter Demnig. These stones remember the victims of National Socialism, their fate, deportation, and murder.
During the scavenger hunt, students had to sort biographies and send photos of memorial sites to Noethen via mobile phone. They also met as a class at certain locations, engaging in stimulating conversations with local residents in front of houses where Stolpersteine were laid.
One of the highlights of the scavenger hunt was the stele remembering the colored Düsseldorf tap dancer Hilarius Gilges, murdered by the National Socialists. Other memorial sites, such as the memorial stone of the largest Düsseldorf synagogue destroyed in 1938, were also part of the hunt.
However, the project and presentation in the plenary hall of the town hall had to be cancelled due to pandemic regulations. Despite this setback, Noethen confirmed his intention to repeat the successful action with other classes. Anna Schlieck, the director of educational work at the memorial and educational center, expressed her support for the initiative and emphasized that the cooperation with the comprehensive school will be expanded for the coming year.
Scavenger hunts like this one serve a vital purpose in educating participants about historical events and their local impact. By exploring memorials and sites connected to these events, such activities aim to raise awareness of social injustice, foster remembrance, and promote reflection on history and its consequences in the present day.
Education and self-development were integral aspects of the city scavenger hunt in Düsseldorf, as students engaged in a unique educational journey that aimed to remember and reflect on the historical events of the pogrom night and National Socialism. Through the interactive search for Stolpersteine, students gained a deeper understanding of the local impact of these events and the importance of social remembrance in today's world.
