On January 27, students from KISD came together to clean Stolpersteine in Cologne, sending a strong message of remembrance. What started as a small initiative quickly evolved into a collective effort that will now take place regularly.
On January 27, the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism, students from KISD gathered to clean Stolpersteine (Stumbling blocks) in Cologne’s neighbourhood “Südstadt” and “Belgisches Viertel”. The initiative originated from a personal experience by a KISD student and soon turned into a group effort: within a short time, eleven fellow students joined, and together they cleaned more than 300 Stolpersteine.
As a tradition in his own right, Student Niklas Brungs cleans Stolpersteine every year on 27 January. This year, it occurred to him to expand the initiative and invite fellow students at KISD. A simple call in the internal KISD network led to an immediate and enthusiastic response.
Using the app “Stolpersteine NRW”, the participants located the stones and read about the lives of those commemorated. Divided into small teams, they systematically cleaned different areas. Many passersby engaged in conversations, showing interest, asking questions, or expressing their support. These interactions highlighted the importance of not only remembering through words but also through tangible actions.
For many pof the participating KISD students, this experience was deeply moving. Reading the names and stories behind each stone made history feel more tangible and underscored the need to keep the memory alive. The group has decided that this should not remain a one-time event: going forward, they plan to clean Stolpersteine on a quarterly basis to maintain these vital markers of remembrance.
The hope is that even more people will join in the future, further raising awareness and ensuring that the past is never forgotten.
Note: If you would like to participate next time, keep an eye out for upcoming announcements or reach out to the organizers!
Photos: Jared Scott, Corinna Schwager and Isabelle Fritsch