Biel/Bienne Installs First 'Stumble Stones' for Nazi Victims

In a significant step towards Holocaust remembrance, the Swiss city of Biel/Bienne has joined the international Stolpersteine (stumble stones) movement by installing its first commemorative brass stones. The installation, taking place on May 9, 2025, coincided with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender, marking a poignant moment in the city's commitment to historical memory.

The city inaugurated two memorial sites, each marking locations deeply connected to Holocaust victims. The first site, at 40 Rue Charles Neuhaus, honors Clara Winograd-Pintschuk. The second installation, at Place du Chemin du Mon-Désir, commemorates the Jewish Sonabend family: Laja, Simon, Sabine, and Charles. These brass stones, embedded in the pavement, mark the last freely chosen residences of these victims of Nazi persecution, serving as permanent reminders of their lives in Biel/Bienne.

The inauguration ceremony drew approximately 80 attendees, including former Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss, highlighting the national significance of this memorial initiative. The presence of such a distinguished former government official underscores Switzerland's commitment to acknowledging and remembering the Holocaust's impact on its communities. The Stolpersteine project represents a tangible connection between present-day Switzerland and its historical relationship with Nazi-era events.

Biel/Bienne's adoption of the Stolpersteine project represents a significant development in Switzerland's ongoing efforts to address Holocaust remembrance. This installation joins the global network of Stolpersteine, which serves as the world's largest decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi persecution. The initiative reflects Switzerland's growing engagement with Holocaust memory and its commitment to ensuring that future generations remember this crucial period of history.