The digitization of "Stolpersteine NRW" is relevant to the "Outdoor" category as it significantly amplifies the impact of this inherently location-based experience. Augmented reality features could add a potent layer of storytelling directly connected to existing Stolpersteine, enriching on-site encounters. The project's interactive map serves as a virtual form of the "outdoor" experience, driving potential visitors from around the world toward specific memorial locations. It can motivate real-world engagement, spurring foot traffic to Stolpersteine sites and potentially inspiring initiatives promoting the maintenance and creation of further physical memorials.

To fully grasp the significance of digitizing "Stolpersteine NRW", one must understand the deep cultural and historical context within which these physical memorials exist:

• Stolpersteine's Origins: "Stolpersteine" (literally "stumbling stones") are a project by artist Gunter Demnig. These small brass plaques bearing victims' names are embedded in sidewalks across Europe, marking their last freely chosen residence before Nazi persecution.

• German Culture of Remembrance: They reflect Germany's unique "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" – a societal process of confronting and grappling with the atrocities of the Nazi era. Stolpersteine are potent symbols of decentralized remembrance, directly woven into the everyday fabric of neighborhoods.

• NRW's Role: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is one of Germany's most populous states, holding significant historical weight due to heavy industrialization and the presence of major Jewish communities prior to the Holocaust.

• Challenges of Physical Memorials: While crucial, Stolpersteine rely on passersby encountering them by chance. Some remain unknown to individuals outside their immediate neighborhood.

• The Power of Digitization: The digital project addresses these limitations. It expands the reach of individual stories, transcends boundaries, and potentially inspires a new generation more accustomed to digital engagement to connect with this dark chapter of history. This sensitivity toward a national trauma, while innovating forms of commemoration, is central to why this work stands out.

Situation:

Over 16,000 Stolpersteine exist in NRW, a stark physical embodiment of the Nazi regime's victims. Their impact is inherently localized, potentially limiting broader awareness and engagement. Increasingly digital generations connect with history in new ways.

Brief:

Create a digital experience augmenting the Stolpersteine, preserving their power while ensuring broader accessibility. Make the personal stories behind each stone discoverable in a way that connects deeply with a global audience.

Objectives:

Combat forgetting and raise awareness of victims of Nazi persecution beyond a geographic area.

Employ technology to emotionally engage diverse audiences with history. Inspire reflection and encourage a commitment to social justice and battling prejudice.

Over 600,000 app downloads

240,000 unique visitors to the website

More than 06:30 minutes avg. dwell time

85,929 people have so far placed a virtual candle

Over 4 hours of custom audio stories

226 graphic stories with 1138 illustrations

6583 historical photos archived

People from 159 countries have accessed the app so far

The digitization of "Stolpersteine NRW" disrupts the traditional idea of ambient context. Typically, historical memorials blend into the background of our environments. This project transforms remembrance into an actively foreground element within the digital spaces we inhabit daily. Even for those far from physical Stolpersteine, the project weaves a layer of historical awareness into their everyday digital experience. Through social sharing and the accessibility of individual stories, it generates a sustained level of emotional engagement – an ambient reminder of injustice. This subtle shift in perspective is how the project aims to cultivate lasting change - making historical awareness not a single act, but an ambient part of how younger generations understand the world.