The History of the "Stumbling Block"
Associated research project
The laying of the so-called "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) began as an artistic intervention in public spaces. Today, the 70,000 stones, laid in 24 countries, together form one of the largest decentralized monuments in Europe. The stones are regarded as a memory project deeply rooted in society and are a worldwide source of inspiration for similar projects. However, this development does not meet with approval everywhere. Critics who point out the problems and limits of participatory forms of remembrance regularly speak out.
At an international conference in Berlin, various research projects on the history of the "Stolpersteine" were discussed. The results of the conference will be documented.
Dominik Juhnke
Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History
Am Neuen Markt 1
14467 Potsdam
Email: juhnke [at] zzf-potsdam.de