Mortsel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mortsel will place 31 stumbling stones across the city to honor residents deported during World War II, joining a broader memorial initiative in Belgium.
Gunter Demnig, a German artist, created the stumbling stones. He lays memorial stones on European pavements in remembrance of all the Nazism-related deaths.
“It is very important to continue to commemorate all those victims,”
Says Jasper Van Steenbergen, a family member of one of the victims.
The deportee’s home will have memorial stones buried in the pavement in front of it. In 1992, Demnig began the project in Germany, but he now lays memorial stones around Europe.
The city of Mortsel requested the stumbling stones in order to remember World War II.
As a result, the regional organization Zuidrand made the decision to lay stones in Mortsel as well. Thirty-one obstacles will be present. Antwerp, Mechelen, and other locations already have a lot of stumbling stones in Belgium
“After a survey of the neighbouring municipalities of Mortsel, it appears that many stories are still underexposed,”
Says Jules Jonckers of Streekvereniging Zuidrand.
“That is why we will soon also place stones in the other neighbouring municipalities.”
Frank Craeybeckx is one of the people who received a stumbling stone.
“He was mainly active in various resistance newspapers and provided false papers for people who had to go into hiding,”
Says Jasper Van Steenbergen. Craeybeckx was his grandmother’s brother.
“At one point he was arrested and taken to the Breendonk fort. Eventually he had to go to the camp in Mauthausen, where he died.”
The memorial is important to the entire family.
“Not just to remember him, but to remember everyone who died defending our democratic values.”
Zuidrand, a regional association, is working to map every victim in the area. They want to someday be able to put a roadblock in everyone’s path in this fashion.
Why is commemorating victims of Nazism still important today in Mortsel?
In order to remember those who suffered and lost their lives, to teach present and future generations about the Holocaust’s horrors, and to fight against racism, antisemitism, and other forms of hatred, it is still crucial to commemorate the victims of Nazism in Mortsel.
Such remembering strengthens the dedication to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law by serving as an essential reminder of the negative effects of bigotry and totalitarianism.
Mortsel contributes
Comments
14 responses to “Mortsel to Install 31 Stumbling Stones for Deportees”
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31 new trip hazards for the city of Mortsel – just what we needed to spice up the cobblestones! At least now when you trip, you can feel a bit more cultured about the history beneath your feet. 😏
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Seems like Mortsel is really stepping up the game with these stumbling stones – nothing screams “we care” quite like tripping over history while walking the dog, eh? 🐕🦺💁♂️
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Stumbling stones, eh? Because nothing says “we remember you” quite like tripping over history while rushing to grab a croissant. 🥐 #OnlyInBelgium
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Stumbling stones? Brilliant idea! Nothing says “we remember our past” quite like tripping over history while making your way to a cafe for a latte, eh? 😂
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So, Mortsel’s got 31 new tripping hazards for your stroll down memory lane—nothing like a cheeky reminder of the past to spice up your pavement, eh? 🍷✨
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Gotta love it when walking down the street becomes a nostalgic trip through history—nothing says “we remember” quite like tripping over a stone while pondering the past. Guess it’s the new trend in public art: “Oops, I stumbled over history!” 😂
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Looks like Mortsel’s decided to trip over its own history with 31 stumbling stones – because what better way to honor the past than by literally stumbling over it? 🍻
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Oh great, more stones to trip over while we remember the past. Just what we needed in Mortsel—an obstacle course of history! 😏
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Oh great, more stumbling stones to trip over in Mortsel—nothing like a daily reminder of the past to keep us on our toes, eh? 😏🏴☠️
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Isn’t it just lovely that Mortsel’s getting a sprucing-up with stumbling stones? Because nothing says “we care” quite like tripping over history while trying to grab a coffee! ☕️😏
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Oh, just what Mortsel needed—more tripping hazards! I suppose stepping on the past is the latest way to honor it, eh? 😂
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Oh great, just what we need—31 more tripping hazards in Mortsel to remind us of the past; because clearly, a casual stroll isn’t complete without a history lesson underfoot. 🙄🪨
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Stumbling stones, eh? Just what Mortsel needed—more tripping hazards to remember the past, because who doesn’t love a good hazard while strolling down memory lane? 😂
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Ah, because nothing says “we remember” quite like tripping over a stone while walking down the street, right? 💁♂️🇧🇪 Let’s hope these “stumbling stones” don’t become the latest tourist attraction! 😏
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