Central commemoration ceremony for the National Day of Mourning on November 15th in the Historic Town Hall – further wreath-laying ceremonies in the city districts
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, the town of Groß-Gerau will commemorate the victims of war, tyranny, and terror. Together with the German War Graves Commission, the town council invites everyone to the central memorial service for the National Day of Mourning. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. in the historic town hall at Frankfurter Straße 12. In addition to speeches and musical performances, students will also share their reflections on the National Day of Mourning. Wreath-laying ceremonies will follow in several parts of the town.
Commemoration in the Historic Town Hall
The National Day of Mourning is a nationwide day of remembrance commemorating the victims of war and tyranny. In Groß-Gerau, this day is traditionally observed with a ceremony.
The main commemorative event will take place in the hall of the historic town hall. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m.
The event will be opened with a welcome address by Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau.
Wolfgang Weber, chairman of the Groß-Gerau local branch of the social association VdK, then speaks to those present.
Another contribution will be made by Pastor Josephine Haas from the Evangelical City Church congregation. She will give a speech and offer a prayer.
Students participate in the commemoration
Young people are also involved in planning the ceremony.
A group of students from the advanced history course at the Prälat-Diehl-Schule will formulate and present their thoughts on the National Day of Mourning.
This gives the younger generation the opportunity to engage with the meaning of the day of remembrance and to contribute their own perspectives on war, violence and memory.
The closing remarks in the hall of the historic town hall will be given by Walter Ullrich, chairman of the association for the promotion of Jewish history and culture in the district of Groß-Gerau.
Musical accompaniment and wreath-laying ceremony
The Riedstadt Music Workshop, under the direction of Wolfgang Seidemann, will provide the musical accompaniment for the memorial service.
At the conclusion of the main event, wreaths will be laid at the war memorial on the ground floor of the historic town hall.
The laying of wreaths is intended to commemorate the victims of war, tyranny and terror, and to set a visible sign of remembrance.
Further commemorative events in the city districts
Following the central ceremony in the historic town hall, further wreath-laying ceremonies are planned in three districts of Groß-Gerau.
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 12:45 pm
Wallerstädten: Wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1:30 p.m
Berkach: Wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 2 p.m
Dornheim: Wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery
The most important information
What: Central commemoration ceremony for the National Day of Mourning 2026
When: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Start: 11 a.m
Doors open at 10:30 a.m
Where: Historic Town Hall, Frankfurter Straße 12, Groß-Gerau
Organizers: City Council of Groß-Gerau and German War Graves Commission
Participants: Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau, Wolfgang Weber, Pastor Josephine Haas, students of the Prälat-Diehl-School and Walter Ullrich
Musical accompaniment: Riedstadt Music Workshop under the direction of Wolfgang Seidemann
Conclusion: Wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the historic town hall
Further wreath-laying ceremonies: 12:45 pm Wallerstädten, 1:30 pm Berkach and 2 pm Dornheim
(GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSGG)
Featured image: On the occasion of Remembrance Day, wreaths will be laid in the Hall of Honor of the Historic Town Hall on Sunday, November 15, 2026. A memorial service will also be held. The photograph from last year shows Groß-Gerau's Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau (front) and the then Chairman of the Town Council, Christian Wieser. Photo: Town of Groß-Gerau/Thorsten Eisenhofer
