Day of remembrance for victims of violence: Remembrance Day in MV celebrates remembrance

Day of remembrance for victims of violence: Remembrance Day in MV celebrates remembrance

On November 16, 2025, Remembrance Day will be celebrated in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, an occasion that is deeply rooted in German history. Every year this day commemorates the victims of violence and war and calls for remembrance of the fallen soldiers and civilians of all nations. The commemorations go back to a tradition that began in 1922, when the day was celebrated in the Reichstag to honor the victims of the First World War. Since then, Remembrance Day has developed into a significant event that has taken on different facets over the decades.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, numerous commemorative events take place in cities and communities across the country on this special day. Particularly noteworthy is the central memorial hour in Schwerin at 10 a.m., where a wreath will be laid at the old cemetery. But it's not just the state capital that is being commemorated - events are also planned in places like Wismar, Penzlin, Malchin, Dargun, Neubrandenburg, Graal Müritz, Güstrow and Teterow that pay respect to the victims of the conflicts. NDR reports that Remembrance Day is also the occasion for a speech by the Federal President in the Bundestag, during which the dead are commemorated.

A remembrance that connects

An essential part of Remembrance Day is the historical consideration of the fate of the millions of people who lost their lives during the Second World War. Three and a half percent of the world's population died in this cruel conflict, and the German War Graves Commission is bringing this important issue into focus on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The organization looks after several war cemetery sites, including a military cemetery in Stare Czarnowo, Poland, where space is provided for around 32,500 graves. These facilities are an expression of the responsibility that Germany bears towards its fallen soldiers and civilians.

The historical development of Remembrance Day shows how commemoration has changed over the years. Originally introduced in the Kingdom of Prussia as a day of repentance and prayer, the Day of Remembrance has undergone a development since its official introduction in 1952 that also applies to the victims of violent oppression. Many federal states have their own ceremonies, often supported by veterans' associations and local initiatives. Wikipedia emphasizes that, in addition to the official events in the Bundestag, pieces of music such as the national anthem and the song “I had a comrade” are also heard.

Responsibility for the graves

The care and preservation of war cemeteries is a state responsibility that is usually carried out at the municipal level. There are a total of five war cemeteries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which, as places of remembrance, occupy an important place in the culture of remembrance. Over 12,000 war cemeteries in Germany with more than 1.8 million dead from the two world wars show the tragedy and extent of losses that the war brought with it. The preservation of these graves is not only a state challenge, but also an expression of society's collective memory, which should not allow the horror of war to be forgotten.

Remembrance Day is more than just a date on the calendar – it is an important sign of remembrance and reflection. In a world often characterized by conflict, it is even more important to remember the victims and not to lose sight of the lessons of the past.