Wiesbaden honours Sinti and Roma victims 83 years after Auschwitz deportations
Wiesbaden will hold a commemoration event on Sunday, March 8, to honour the Sinti and Roma persecuted under Nazi rule. The ceremony marks the 83rd anniversary of the deportation of 14 Wiesbadener Sinti to Auschwitz. Organisers have invited all citizens to attend and reflect on the past while standing against present-day discrimination.
On March 8, 1943, 14 Sinti from Wiesbaden were sent to the Auschwitz main event. Many of them were murdered there as part of the Nazi regime's systematic persecution. Across Europe, around 500,000 Sinti and Roma lost their lives during this period.
The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the town hall at Schlossplatz. Adam Strauß, chair of the state association, and Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende will open the ceremony with speeches. Strauß highlighted the ongoing importance of remembrance, noting that Sinti and Roma have lived in German-speaking regions for centuries yet still face exclusion.
Mende extended the tribute to other persecuted groups, including the Yenish, who also suffered under Nazi ideology. He described the commemoration as a call to action against antisemitism, racism, and anti-Roma sentiment. Strauß echoed this urgency, warning about current political debates and the need to uphold democracy and human dignity.
The June Heilig Ensemble will provide live music during the event. Attendees are encouraged to show their solidarity and commitment to respecting all communities.
The ceremony serves as both a remembrance of past atrocities and a reminder of today's responsibilities. By attending, citizens can honour the victims while reaffirming their stance against discrimination. The event underscores the city's ongoing efforts to recognise and protect marginalised groups.
