“A human being is forgotten only when his or her name is forgotten.” This quote from the Talmud encapsulates the essence of the Stolpersteine project. We stand before the Pralat Plaque in Mannheim. It is a reminder of a dark chapter in history.
These small brass plaques are called Stolpersteine. Stolpersteine translates to stumbling stones. They commemorate victims of National Socialism. The Cologne-based artist Gunter Demnig started this project in the 1990s. He has laid over 75,000 stones throughout Europe.
The Pralat Plaque, like other Stolpersteine, marks the last freely chosen home of persecuted people. These people were humiliated, expelled or murdered by the Nazis. This happened between 1933 and 1945. Each plaque bears the victim’s name. It also shows their birthdate and death details. This includes the place and date of death, often a concentration camp.
The Pralat Plaque is a stark reminder of individual suffering. It is part of a larger network of memory. Mannheim has 191 Stolpersteine as of October 2021. Most commemorate Jewish victims. Others memorialize political opponents, resistance members and forced laborers. Some stones honor those deemed “asocials” or victims of the “euthanasia” program. One stone even marks the persecution of a man for homosexuality.
The installation of the Pralat Plaque, like all Stolpersteine, is a public event. These events include speeches about the person’s life. Sometimes they feature music or moments of silence. Flowers might be laid. These ceremonies are organized by a civic working group. The NaturFreunde Mannheim leads this group. The MARCHIVUM provides support.
The initiative for a Pralat Plaque can come from various sources. Relatives, schools, associations or individuals may request it. They often take on the “sponsorship” for the stone. Each Pralat Plaque represents an individual. It restores their name and their story to the place where they lived.
As you walk around Mannheim, keep an eye out for these Stolpersteine. They are small but powerful memorials. The Pralat Plaque and others like it ensure we never forget the individuals who suffered. They encourage reflection on the importance of tolerance and justice. They help us remember the dangers of hatred. These stones literally cause us to stumble. They also metaphorically make us pause and remember. They challenge us to confront the past and build a better future.