Report by Ms. Franziska Pöhland, the City of Reichenbach im Vogtland
On Friday, 21st March, “Mayor for Peace” member- Reichenbach im Vogtland- remembered the tragic events of that day 80 years ago when air raids in World War II took the lives of 161 civilians. Just as 80 years ago the bells of the local churches rang through the morning hours, marking the beginning of the memorial event the “Park des Friedens” (translating to Park of Peace). The area of the Park was completely demolished in the bombardment and most of the victims lost their lives in this place, so it has a very special meaning in the identity of the city.
To remember lives lost, Pastor Annegret Schubert held a sermon and Mayor Henry Ruß asked the guests to take responsibility for a peaceful future: “But as we pause to mourn today, we can also look forward. The peace we all desire is in our hands. It is up to us to learn the lessons of history and actively work for a world where conflicts are resolved not with violence, but with dialogue and understanding. Let us work together to ensure that the tragedies of the past are not repeated.” The musical frame took on that idea and ended the memorial with the song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Some of the attendants survived the bombardment as children and shared their experiences in personal talks after the ceremony.
Photos: courtesy of the City of Reichenbach im Vogtland