Volkstrauertag 2025: Commemorations Across Cuxhaven Highlight Victims of War and Violence

On November 16, 2025, Volkstrauertag, Germany's Day of Remembrance for victims of war and political violence, will be observed with several memorial events in the Cuxhaven region. The central ceremony is scheduled for 3 PM at the Brockeswalde cemetery chapel in Cuxhaven. Mayor Marc Gerdes will deliver a speech and participate in the wreath-laying alongside Superintendent Kerstin Tiemann, with musical accompaniment by organist Britta Quaiser. Members of the Marinefliegerkommandos are also expected to attend, underscoring the solemnity of the occasion.

While a traditional church service in Altenwalde set for 10 AM has been canceled, the memorial event at the Ehrenmal will proceed at 11 AM, featuring music from the Posaunenchor. Additionally, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held in Oxstedt at 2 PM. Organizers have expressed gratitude for the community's understanding amid the program changes and encourage citizens to join in respectfully honoring those affected by war and oppression.

These ceremonies are part of a broader culture of remembrance in Germany, ensuring that victims of past conflicts and violence are not forgotten. They provide an important moment for reflection on the costs of war and the value of peace.

In a related context, on November 25, Lünen will host a reading to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Journalist Julia Cruschwitz will present her book "Femizide – Frauenmorde in Deutschland," highlighting 360 fatal female homicide cases in 2023 alone, with 68.6 percent related to domestic violence. This event aims to raise awareness about the societal structures that sustain such violence, emphasizing the need for greater attention to gender-based violence in German society.

Together, these events underscore Germany's ongoing commitment to remembering victims of violence while confronting contemporary issues of societal violence and injustice.