Ron and I were out walking the other day and we came across double Stumble Stones at Rákóczi út 68. I have seen these stones all over the city, but never this far outside of the old Jewish district in this direction. Also, this is the first time I have ever seen a double one with a husband and wife. It took my breath away, gave me more than a moment to pause and reflect on their memory and feel more than a pang of sadness.
These 'stones' were the brainchild of a German artist to memorialise those that were deported and killed during the Holocaust. They are now stones in multiple countries, but the first three placed in Hungary were installed on Ráday utca in 2007. Their numbers have mushroomed ever since. Originally they were for the Jews that were deported, but shortly thereafter, there were two stones installed for Jehovah's Witnesses. These were followed by stones for Roma, homosexuals, and all others taken away by the Nazis.
Each stone starts with "here lived" followed by the person's name, year of birth and the fate, as well as the dates of deportation and death, if known. Some stones include the person's occupation as well.
From what I could find, there are stones placed in thirteen cities within Hungary alone. Others are in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the Ukraine. The cost to place one is 120 Euros.
When you stumble across one, stop and think a bit about the crimes of man against man.
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