Around 6,000 people lit up the banks of the River Main on Sunday evening in a chain of lights against anti-Semitism. The event was organized by Frankfurt's cultural institutions.
Many thousands of people came to the Main on Sunday evening to light a candle against anti-Semitism. They held candles in their hands, brought lights in jars and bowls, shone flashlights, waved torches, wore flashing caps or lit Easter candles and grave candles. Participant Margot Müller had put a string of lights around her jacket collar. "At this time, civil courage is needed," she said, "from each and every one of us."
A good 6000 people lit up the 1000 meters between the Eiserner Steg and Ignatz Bubis Bridge. The chain of lights lasted 30 minutes and remained peaceful, as the police, who were on site with 30 officers, reported afterwards - there were no political protests. It would have taken 2000 people to close the chain of lights, some of whom stood in their places in Trauen. "If it goes on like this, the chain of lights will reach as far as Offenbach," joked one participant.
"I am very happy," said initiator Prof. Dr. Joachim Valentin, Director of Haus am Dom, who had registered the chain of lights as a demonstration. It was supported by all of Frankfurt's renowned cultural institutions, a list of which can be found at www.niewiederist.jetzt. "The action is necessary because of the silence in the cultural scene, where there should have been solidarity with the Jewish people in Germany who are threatened by hatred of Jews," says Valentin. "It is the historical responsibility of those responsible for culture as the avant-garde to take up their role as a voice that shapes opinion and to position themselves clearly." The fact that this has been achieved so clearly is reassuring, he said.
Society has understood
Many participants praised the fact that there were no speeches, just a quiet get-together in solidarity - followed by an equally quiet parting. Uwe Becker, former mayor and representative of the Hessian state government for Jewish life and the fight against anti-Semitism, came to the event with CDU city councillor Christina Ringer. "Cultural workers represent a really large part of society and they have remained silent for far too long," he said. "The fact that this chain of lights is taking place tonight shows me that society has understood. It's time to show solidarity!"
Peter Cachola Schmal, Director of the German Architecture Museum (DAM) in Frankfurt, criticized that the cultural scene as such is pro-Palestine and therefore has problems showing solidarity with Israel. This inherent anti-Semitism was also evident at the Documenta, he said, and was demonstrated on a small scale by the fact that hardly anyone initially responded to solidarity posts on social media after the Hamas attacks on October 7. "I'm glad that so many people came to the chain of lights, but the number of under-30s is low - maybe it's a generational problem?", he mused.
Peaceful atmosphere
Prof. Dr. Mirjam Wenzel, Director of the Jewish Museum Frankfurt, came to the Main with a red lantern and gave fire to numerous people around it when the wind blew out their candles. "I am very grateful to Joachim Valentin for initiating this solidarity action," she said. Prof. Dr. Frank E.P. Dievernich, Chairman of the Board, Polytechnische Gesellschaft Foundation, distributed candles and stickers with the inscription "Never again is now" and was delighted with the good, peaceful atmosphere. Susanne Körber, assistant at the Catholic Academy, could only agree: "All the people taking part here are so friendly to each other, you can tell that everyone has come here for peace." The atmosphere was indeed relaxed and easy-going, with many people laughing together and enjoying the peaceful get-together for a good cause.
Uta Friedlein and her husband had traveled to Frankfurt from Hofheim to be there: "It was very important to us to set an example." Parish priest Barbara Kaltwasser-Flora also came - "although I'm usually a couch potato, but now I just couldn't stay seated any longer, I had to stand up against anti-Semitism." Adelheid Käberich had hung a sign with the inscription "Together against hatred of Jews - together against all hatred!". "Hate cannot bring peace. I would like to campaign for all people of all religions to be allowed to be who they are, because the origin of all religions is peace." And Jutta Ebeling, former mayor of Frankfurt, said with satisfaction: "There is no need to be ashamed of this city."
