Heidenau mayor ignores criticism, refuses to reverse ban on new Holocaust stumbling stones

Historical revisionism: In Heidenau, Saxony, no more Stolpersteine will be laid due to AfD and CDU support. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa

By David Muschenich

The decision by Heidenau's city council to ban Stolpersteine is pushing the memory of Nazi victims out of everyday life. This is among the criticisms voiced by the International Auschwitz Committee, Jewish communities in Saxony, and Federal Minister Karin Prien (CDU). But has it changed anything? Even when asked, Mayor Conny Oertel (independent) does not address the reactions. "The city of Heidenau is not fundamentally opposed to remembrance," she merely responds.

The Council Decision

One week ago, the city council decided to reject all future applications for new Stolpersteine without review. The initiative was supported by CDU and AfD members. Council members justified the idea by arguing that people walk over the Stolpersteine—and thus over the names of Nazi victims—which they consider undignified remembrance. Instead, a "memorial area" is to be created at the North Cemetery, dedicated to victims "of war, terror, dictators, displacement, and especially of National Socialism in Heidenau."

What Are Stolpersteine?

Stolpersteine ("stumbling stones") were created by artist Gunter Demnig. They are small brass plaques engraved with the names of victims of the Nazi dictatorship. In more than 30 countries, over 116,000 Stolpersteine have been laid, usually at the last freely chosen residences or workplaces of the victims. In Heidenau, five stones currently commemorate SPD mayor Paul Gröger and the Jewish Reiner family.

Pending Application Rejected

An application for two additional stones—to commemorate Fritz and Martha Goldstein, a couple deported due to antisemitism—was submitted by the Alternative Culture and Education Center (Akubiz) in February 2025. Anne Nietschke, a board member of the association, says: "We asked several times but have received no response so far." According to Mayor Oertel, the stones are being rejected in line with the new resolution.

Criticism from Saxony's CDU

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Oertel criticized what she called a "media distortion" spread by the city. She assured that existing Stolpersteine would not be removed. While no new Stolpersteine for Nazi victims would be installed, the planned memorial area would serve "for the victims of war, terror, dictators, displacement, and especially of National Socialism."

Whether the memorial area will be created at the North Cemetery—where a memorial stone for Nazi victims already exists—has not yet been decided. Which "dictators" are specifically meant? There are no concrete plans yet.

Shoah Survivor Speaks Out

Shoah survivor Charlotte Knobloch considers this alternative proposal insufficient. "I was never a fan of the Stolpersteine concept," she says. However, decentralized remembrance—not confined to one location but permeating and shaping public space—is crucial "for a genuine culture of remembrance."

"I am appalled that a democratic party lends itself to supporting such a transparent maneuver by the extremists of the AfD."

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— Charlotte Knobloch, Shoah survivor

Removing places of remembrance from the cityscape, as is now happening in Heidenau, is "in any case the completely wrong path," Knobloch says, criticizing the CDU: "I am appalled that a democratic party lends itself to supporting such a transparent maneuver by the extremists of the AfD."

CDU State Leadership Disagrees

There is also criticism from within the CDU. Tom Unger, Secretary General of the Saxon Union, states: "As the CDU state association, we support the laying of Stolpersteine as a form of remembrance of the abhorrent crimes of National Socialism." He emphasizes that discussions about living remembrance should "especially involve Jewish communities." However, fundamentally excluding one form of remembrance "is the wrong path," Unger says. The state association of Jewish Communities in Saxony told taz that they were not consulted in Heidenau.

Federal Minister Calls It a "Scandal"

Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) described the city council's decision as a "scandal." She hopes the council will reconsider and reverse its decision, Prien told the Evangelical Press Service on Tuesday during a visit to Leipzig, where she demonstratively laid flowers at eight Stolpersteine.

A Small Development

There is at least one small development in Heidenau. On Wednesday, Mayor Oertel mentioned—almost in passing—that the city administration is also examining options for a decentralized memorial site.