The digitization of "Stolpersteine NRW" demonstrates the power of direct engagement with history. It breaks geographic barriers, enabling viewers to digitally "stumble" upon personal stories that might remain undiscovered otherwise. The platform fosters direct connections to victims, using biographies, graphic novels and photos to combat anonymity. Most importantly, it inspires direct action - whether that's further research, sharing a story, or a renewed commitment against prejudice.

There are three elements of cultural context to consider:

• Germany's Unique Remembrance Culture: Acknowledges how deeply the Holocaust is embedded in German identity, while recognizing societal changes.

• Combating Desensitization: As history fades from living memory, new methods ensure emotional impact isn't lost on younger generations.

• The Power of the Personal: Understanding that individual stories provide relatable entry points into an overwhelming collective tragedy.

Situation:

Over 15,000 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.cInspire reflection and encourage a commitment to social justice and battling prejudice.

The core creative idea of digitizing "Stolpersteine NRW" lies in making the tangible intangible, and the local universal. Here's how:

1. A Digital Archive: A central website becomes a repository for every Stolperstein's information. Detailed records capture names, personal histories, and any available photographs or documents.

2. Interactive Map: Each stone's physical location is plotted on a digital map. Viewers can explore it virtually, "stumbling" upon stories they may never encounter in person.

3. Augmented Reality: On-location visitors use AR technology to overlay biographical information onto the physical Stolpersteine, enhancing the in-person experience.

Social Amplification: Individual stories are made shareable. This encourages digital participation and generates social discourse, amplifying the reach for younger generations.

Strategic Approach: The project emphasizes accessibility as a primary form of activism. By removing geographic barriers, the act of remembrance transforms into active participation, open to anyone with an internet connection. Its power lies in prioritizing storytelling, using biographies and photos to personalize victims and combat indifference, forging powerful emotional connections. The platform encourages both community collaboration and crowdsourced research, ensuring ongoing growth as more information contributes to an ever-expanding digital archive. Finally, the strategy positions itself as an invaluable resource for both educators and sparking broader social discussions, ensuring ongoing relevance to fostering historical awareness and combating prejudice.

Implementation:

1. Data Collection: Thorough research to create individual records for each Stolperstein, sourcing biographies, photos, and related documents from local archives and community partners.

2. Platform Development: A robust website integrating the database, interactive map, and AR functions, optimized for diverse devices.

3. Ongoing Storytelling: Adding elements like historical audio clips or visual narratives within individual profiles.

Placement: Primarily digital across web and app platforms accessible globally.

Scale:

Built to expand indefinitely as more Stolpersteine are added across NRW and potentially throughout Germany.

International focus due to global relevance of Holocaust remembrance and ongoing human rights battles.

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 with1138 illustrations

6583 historical photos archived

People from 159 countries have accessed the app so far

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