"May 8, 1945 marks the end of the inhuman Nazi regime and the beginning of peace and democracy in Germany. This day is both a reminder and an obligation: never again must hatred prevail over humanity. Today we commemorate all victims of war and tyranny and remember that freedom, diversity and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted - but must be defended anew every day," emphasized Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann.
In Germany, May 8 has been celebrated as the day of liberation from National Socialism, particularly since the speech by former German President Richard von Weizsäcker in 1985. At a local level, however, the liberation is viewed in a differentiated way, as the vast majority of cities were already liberated in April.

Wolfsburg's culture of remembrance
For Wolfsburg's culture of remembrance, April 7 is therefore an outstanding date, because on this day the subcamp was evacuated and the prisoners sent on a death march and shortly afterwards the Allies reached Wolfsburg - at that time still the city of the KdF-Wagen -, set up an administration and liberated the many thousands of forced laborers.
Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann himself laid wreaths at the Laagberg subcamp memorial (stele on Breslauer Straße) and at the memorial to the forced laborers on Sara-Frenkel-Platz.