The state capital uses these steles to mark places that are formative for Wiesbaden's city history. They are also erected at memorials and places of remembrance dedicated to the victims of the Nazi regime.

The location was not chosen at random - at least 26 people were also forced to work in the Fasanerie. And it was here that the Polish forced laborer Edward Seweryn was executed in front of other forced laborers on 10 July 1942. The accusations against him were not proven in a proper trial.

The date of the handover is also no coincidence. On this day 80 years ago, American soldiers reached Wiesbaden and finally put an end to the murderous Nazi regime of injustice in our city, liberating Wiesbaden, its population and those who had been deported here.

Against the backdrop of the growing threat to democracy in Germany and worldwide from authoritarianism and right-wing radicalism, the Mayor warned: "Today we are called upon to defend our democratic achievements, to counter hatred and agitation and to preserve tolerance and humanity. We can learn from our history where it can otherwise end. We must not forget that."

Hinninger thanked the pupils of the Klarenthal campus and their teacher, Janine Branca, who had researched the history of forced labor in the Fasanerie and were committed to remembrance and commemoration. "Dealing with our past is an important step."

She expressed her special thanks to Rolf Dyckerhoff, who took the initiative for this school project and also provided financial support for its implementation.

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