Antwerp (The brussels Morning Newspaper): A memorial walk in Antwerp begins at Mediaplein, honoring the Jewish victims of WWII. The route highlights significant sites affected by Nazi raids, emphasizing the community’s suffering and the importance of remembrance for future generations.
The walk starts at Mediaplein, which is near the back entrance of Antwerp Central Train Station. This station is important because it was used during World War II to send Jews from Antwerp to concentration camps. This part of history is very sad, and starting the walk here helps remember what happened and honors the victims.
What historical significance does Antwerp’s memorial walk hold for holocaust Remembrance?
The route also goes through Bleekhofstraat and a synagogue, which were greatly impacted by Nazi raids. Almost 1,000 Jews were arrested in this area and sent to concentration camps, reminding us of the terrible suffering the Jewish community faced. By including these places the walk shows how devastating these raids were and honors the memory of those who suffered and died during the Holocaust.
The walk was organized by local residents as writer Jeroen Olyslaegers explains. He mentions that cities focus on the present but the past is often forgotten, making this walk important to remember what happened in their streets. At the playground of primary school Crea 16, it’s clear that not much shows the horrors from over 80 years ago. Organizer Matthieu Marin shared that it really affected him because this is where his kids play happily now, but many years ago Jews were gathered there before being taken to the Dossin barracks, highlighting the huge difference between then and now.
Anny Schiff feels a strong connection to the memorial walk because her father was arrested with his family in 1942, right near where she walks now. He spent almost three years in Nazi concentration camps and survived a death march, where many prisoners died from the harsh conditions. Anny thinks it’s really important to hold this walk every year since there are very few survivors left. She wants to keep the memory of those awful events alive and share the stories of those who suffered during the Holocaust, so future generations can learn from the past.
