Silent commemoration remembers the destruction of Dresden in 1945

The commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the destruction of Dresden began with wreath-laying ceremonies and a minute's silence. Saxony's Minister of the Interior Armin Schuster (CDU) and the state parliament vice-presidents Albrecht Pallas (SPD) and Jörg Scheibe (BSW) took part in the commemoration ceremony at the North Cemetery. Dresden's Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) was represented by Sports Mayor Jan Donhauser (CDU) due to illness.

Human chain for reconciliation and cohesion

The silent commemoration of the dead of 13 February 1945 was organized by the German War Graves Commission (Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge). Numerous other events are planned throughout the day. The highlight will be a human chain in the early evening, which thousands of citizens join every year in the city center. It is not only intended to commemorate all the victims of war. It is also intended as a sign of reconciliation and solidarity.

The Frauenkirche has also invited people to prayers of reconciliation and a Night of Voices. The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra are giving special concerts. At the time of the first wave of attacks on February 13, 1945, all church bells in Dresden will ring at around 10 p.m.

Up to 25,000 people lost their lives

Dresden was severely destroyed by air raids by British and US bombers on February 13, 1945 and in the days that followed. According to investigations by a historical commission, up to 25,000 people lost their lives. Right-wing extremists see this as a war crime and are trying to relativize Germany's guilt in the war. They have planned a march in Dresden on Saturday, which will be accompanied by counter-protests.