On this day 80 years ago, on 27 January 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp was liberated. People all around the world are remembering those who were persecuted, deported and murdered under the National Socialist regime, renewing the vow to never repeat the atrocities of Auschwitz. VfB Stuttgart underlined its support of the ‘21st Remembrance Day in German football’ – which was established by the ‘!NieWieder’ (‘!Never again’) initiative – on Monday morning, sending out a strong socio-political message in the process.
VfB Stuttgart president Dietmar Allgaier took part in a wreath-laying ceremony in front of the club centre alongside representatives of the City of Stuttgart, the Israeli Religious Community of Württemberg, the Hotel Silber Learning and Memorial Site, the Stuttgart Stumbling Stone Initiative and other club representatives, in memory of all the victims of the Nazi regime and the VfB members who were excluded and expelled from the club between 1932 and 1945.
A binding commitment
For the first time, Allgaier was able to read out the names, personal histories and stories of persecution of 14 Jewish club members, emphasising that “fellow Jewish people contributed to the rise of VfB as athletes, officials and sponsors before being excluded from the club from 1933 onwards”. He continued: “Our own history obliges us to show our commitment to a free democratic basic order and an open, diverse and fair society. We must always remember that.”
VfB Stuttgart will deliver another important statement on this year’s Remembrance Day in German football on Monday evening, when the second edition of the book “VfB Stuttgart and National Socialism” by historian Dr. Gregor Hofmann – which was published on Monday – will be introduced in front of specially invited guests. A discussion on the issue will be held afterwards.
