Commemorative events for the 82nd anniversary begin on September 11th with a film screening and wreath-laying ceremony
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Darmstadt will commemorate the firebombing 82 years ago. During the Allied air raid on the night of September 11-12, 1944, and the subsequent firestorm, almost 12,000 people lost their lives, and large parts of the city were destroyed. The commemoration will include several events from the morning until the ringing of the church bells at 11:55 p.m.
The city commemorates the victims and survivors of the firebombing and at the same time highlights the historical connection with the Second World War started by Nazi Germany.
Commemoration begins with student event
at 9:30 a.m. at the Centralstation. The films "Brandmale" and "Running with Mum – Der Weg meiner Mutter" by Jutta and Christian Gropper will be shown. A discussion with eyewitnesses will follow. Doors open at 9:00 a.m., and admission is free.
At 11 a.m., Mayor Hanno Benz will lay a wreath at the burial ground in the forest cemetery for the victims of the fire.
Benz describes remembrance as a task for future generations. This includes confronting the causes of National Socialist policies and their consequences. The city believes that the commemoration should also include people who live in Darmstadt today and who themselves experienced war and displacement.
Peace service and silent walk
at 6:30 p.m. in the Protestant City Church. Mayor Benz will give an address, and the sermon will be delivered by Pastor Matthias Becker from St. Ludwig Church. Also participating are Dean Raimund Wirth, students from the Edith Stein School, the Darmstadt Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Jorin Sandau, and Christian Roß on the organ.
After the church service, a silent procession will lead from the town church to the memorial on the chapel square. A silent commemoration and vigil will begin there at 8 p.m.
Also at 8 p.m., a public film screening will take place at the Centralstation. The extended version of "Brandmale" will be shown, followed by "Running with Mum – Der Weg meiner Mutter." Admission is free.
At 11:55 p.m., the church bells ring to conclude the event. This was the time at which the air raid on Darmstadt began on September 11, 1944.
Football match overlaps with memorial service
This year, there is a special feature due to a second division match of SV Darmstadt 98 at the Böllenfalltor stadium at the same time. The match also kicks off at 6:30 p.m., the same time as the peace service.
According to the city, Mayor Benz had requested a postponement of the match from the German Football League (DFL). The DFL stated that this was no longer possible due to scheduling conflicts. At the same time, they provided written assurances that they would take the September 11th match in Darmstadt into consideration when planning future fixtures and would not schedule any home games for Darmstadt on that date.
SV Darmstadt 98 will hold a minute's silence immediately before the game to commemorate the victims of the fire.
"The night of the fire serves as a warning to us"
Benz also places the commemoration in a current political context. "The night of the fire reminds us where hatred, exclusion, and inhumane ideologies lead," the mayor explains.
The destruction of Darmstadt must be seen as a consequence of the war unleashed by Nazi Germany. Therefore, September 11th should not only serve as a memorial to the victims, but also contribute to an examination of the historical causes of the catastrophe.
Commemorative events on September 11
9:30 a.m.: Centralstation – Film screening for students from grade 9 and up, doors open at 9:00 a.m., free admission. 11:00 a.m .: Wreath-laying ceremony at the burial ground in the forest cemetery. 6:30 p.m.: Ecumenical peace service in the Protestant City Church. 6:30 p.m.: Minute of silence before the SV Darmstadt 98 second division match at the Böllenfalltor stadium, followed by a silent procession from the City Church to Kapellplatz. 8:00 p.m.: Silent commemoration and vigil at the memorial on Kapellplatz. 8:00 p.m.: Public film screening at the Centralstation, free admission. 11:55 p.m.: Ringing of the church bells in remembrance of the beginning of the air raid.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho)
