“Auf Wiedersehen Mutter” The words are etched into the wood. They whisper a story of farewell. This is The Orphan Carousel. Right here in Frankfurt.
This isn’t just any carousel. It’s a memorial. A poignant reminder of the Kindertransport. Between 1938 and 1939 around 20000 children fled Nazi persecution. Many were Jewish. They were sent to safety mostly to England. Frankfurt’s central train station was a key departure point. This carousel commemorates those children and their families.
Imagine the scene. Parents clutching their children goodbye. The children didn’t know if they would ever see their parents again. The promise of “Auf bald mein Kind” a hopeful lie. Most of the parents were murdered in concentration camps.
The Orphan Carousel is slow moving. It’s made of wood and metal. You can ride it. But it turns slowly. The deliberate pace forces reflection. It makes you contemplate the weight of history. The immense sadness of those goodbyes.
The sentences carved into the side are simple. But they hold incredible power. They speak of the immense hope. And the devastating loss. The carousel isn’t just a beautiful artwork. It’s an active memorial. You can sit on it and turn it. You engage with the pain. You engage with the memory.
The Orphan Carousel stands at the crossing of Gallusanlage and Kaiserstrasse. Its placement is deliberate. It’s in line of sight of the main train station. It’s a constant reminder. A constant presence. A visible part of Frankfurt’s history. A history that cannot be ignored.
The project was a result of a city-wide competition. Yael Bartana’s design was chosen. The work speaks volumes. It brings to life a little-known chapter of Frankfurt’s past. It speaks of the children and families. But it also touches on the plight of children today. Children who leave their homes due to conflict.
The Orphan Carousel is a powerful symbol. It is a reminder of the past. It’s a symbol of hope and resilience. It’s a testimony to the Kindertransport. It’s a lasting tribute to the children. And to the families separated during a dark period in history. It stands as a testament. A testament to loss. To hope. And to the enduring spirit of humanity.