Remembrance Day: 1.2 million euros for the maintenance of war graves

This year, Saxony’s municipalities received approximately 1.2 million euros for the maintenance of war graves. Specifically, this covers 913 war cemeteries in 332 cities and municipalities across the Free State of Saxony, according to the State Directorate of Saxony (LDS), which is responsible for allocating the funds. The cities of Dresden (204,291 euros), Leipzig (164,570 euros), and Chemnitz (108,358 euros), as well as the municipality of Zeithain (158,196 euros), receive the largest shares, as these locations contain the most war graves.

The Fates of Previous Generations as a Reminder

“The fates of previous generations serve as a reminder to us—and especially to young people—to cherish peace and freedom. Memory is not kept alive solely through history books; it requires dignified places of remembrance in the various regions. Moments of silence and reflection at such a grave can be deeply moving,” explained State Parliament President Alexander Dierks, who is also the state chairman of the German War Graves Commission in Saxony.

Local governments are responsible for maintaining war graves

According to the LDS, cities and municipalities are responsible for identifying, establishing, maintaining, and caring for war graves. Currently, approximately 120,000 war victims are documented. They are buried in 26,804 individual graves and in a mass grave area totaling 92,170 square meters, according to the report. The State Directorate is responsible for enforcing the Graves Act and for distributing federal funds to Saxony’s municipalities.

“The graves remind us of where war and violence lead and how important it is to learn from history. This is all the more true now that wars are once again being waged in the heart of Europe,” emphasized Béla Bélafi, President of the State Directorate of Saxony.

National Day of Mourning will be observed this Sunday

The German Graves Act provides the foundation for lasting and dignified remembrance. It is intended to preserve the memory of the fates of those affected and the devastating consequences of war and violence for future generations. The graves will remain in place permanently. The victims are thus granted the right to eternal rest. This Sunday marks Remembrance Day—a national day of remembrance for victims of violence and war.