Berlin, Germany – The city of Berlin has officially dedicated a prominent square in front of its state parliament to the late Holocaust survivor and honorary citizen, Margot Friedländer. The ceremony, held on Thursday morning, unveiled the new street sign bearing her name, nearly a year after her passing on May 9, 2025, at the age of 103.
A Tribute to Courage and Humanity
A commemorative ceremony took place within the state parliament, where politicians lauded Friedländer’s life and profound impact. Cornelia Seibeld (CDU), President of the House of Representatives, stated that the square now symbolizes “courage, humanity, and unwavering dignity.”
Seibeld highlighted Friedländer’s journey: after her liberation from the Theresienstadt concentration camp, she emigrated to the United States, only to return to Berlin in 2010. Upon her return, she dedicated herself to educating, particularly young people, about the atrocities of the Nazi era. “Her mission was clear: to speak for those who could no longer speak,” Seibeld emphasized.
Friedländer frequently read from her autobiography in schools, relentlessly advocating against forgetting the past. She became widely known for her message of humanity and solidarity. One of her most famous quotes was: “Be human. We are all equal. There is no Christian, no Muslim, no Jewish blood. There is only human blood.”
Political Leaders and Students Honor Friedländer
Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), also paid tribute to the deceased. The ceremony was attended by students from the future Margot Friedländer Gymnasium in Berlin-Spandau, who contributed words of remembrance and musical performances. Friedländer had regularly visited the school, and a decision to rename it in her honor was made in January.
Margot Friedländer’s Enduring Legacy
Margot Friedländer, born in Berlin in 1921, was deported to Theresienstadt during the Nazi regime and survived the Holocaust. After decades in the United States, she returned to Berlin in her old age, becoming one of Germany’s most prominent contemporary witnesses. In 2018, she was made an honorary citizen of Berlin. She was laid to rest in the Jewish cemetery in Berlin-Weißensee.
The dedication of this square serves as a permanent reminder of her extraordinary life and her unwavering commitment to fostering understanding and remembrance.
Source: https://web.de/magazine/unterhaltung/stars/margot-friedlaender-platz-berlin-traegt-namen-42241574
