TSG fans participate in remembrance tour: “Never forget – football fans on the trail of history”

Under the motto “Never forget – football fans on the trail of history”, 28 participants – young people and adults aged between 16 and 86 – set off together for Krakow and Auschwitz. The aim was to trace the historical links to the Holocaust, keep the memory alive and, in particular, highlight local stories from northern Baden, such as that of the Ledermann family.

In Krakow, the first stop was an exploration of the old town and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Here, the participants gained insights into Jewish life before and during the Nazi era. The former Podgórze ghetto and the Schindler’s Factory museum were also part of the trip, with a particular focus on the contrast between historical facts and their cinematic portrayal in Schindler’s List.

A special moment was the discussion with Monika Goldwasser, a survivor who was rescued as a toddler by a Polish family and only discovered her Jewish roots as an adult. Her story of loss, search for identity and reconciliation deeply moved everyone.

The visit to the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp memorials marked the emotional culmination of the trip. The participants followed in the footsteps of the victims, learned about the cruel selection and extermination processes and grappled with the dimensions of the methodical crimes committed by the Nazis. The search for names from their homeland in the Book of Names was particularly moving.

In workshops and discussion groups, the group reflected together on what they had experienced. Another conversation with Stefania Wernik, who was born in Auschwitz as a baby, once again highlighted how important personal stories are for remembrance.

“The remembrance trip was a deeply moving experience. The memories of the places and the faces of the victims will stay with us forever and always remind us how important it is to never forget,” said participant Nadja, 43. Leonie, 17, added: “During the trip, a community formed with people from all walks of life who got along so well despite their differences. And that’s exactly what I think this trip was meant to achieve. Society needs to be as diverse as our group was.”

TSG Hoffenheim would like to express its sincere thanks to all the partners who made this trip possible, in particular the Alte Synagoge e.V. association, the DFL, Anastasia Moor and Barbara Dudek.

The message from the participants is clear: remembrance does not end with this trip – it begins here. So that “never again” won’t remain just words.