• The memorial markers commemorate the victims of National Socialism in more than 1,800 European municipalities.

• As transport partner for the Stolpersteine, DPD Germany ships the memorials free of charge within Germany and Europe

• Every year hundreds of new memorials are added to pavements and streets in a number of countries.

Aschaffenburg, 16 November 2021 – International parcel and express service provider DPD Germany is now carrying out free shipping of the Stolperstein (literally “stumbling block”) memorial plaques, which commemorate the victims of National Socialism in numerous towns and cities across Europe. Thousands of these brass memorial stones the size of paving stones are already embedded in the pavement in front of the last-known homes of victims of the Nazis. Hundreds of new plaques are added every year. They document the individual fate of people who were persecuted, murdered, deported, displaced or driven to suicide during the National Socialist era.

By shipping the Stolpersteine free of charge DPD aims to set an example of social and religious tolerance."

Eric Malitzke, CEO of DPD Germany

"By shipping the Stolpersteine free of charge DPD aims to set an example of social and religious tolerance," explains Eric Malitzke, CEO of DPD Germany. "The Stolpersteine keep alive the memory of the victims of the Nazi reign of terror in a way that can be experienced directly. We wish to support this important contribution together with our colleagues throughout Europe."

The artist Gunter Demnig, creator of the Stolpersteine, explains: "Our Stolpersteine are made in Berlin, Elbenrod and Amsterdam as unique handcrafted pieces. From there we ship them to a number of countries in Europe, which in the past was an expensive business. We are therefore delighted that in DPD we now have a strong supporter at our side as a company which is committed to our initiative and will make a significant contribution to delivering many more Stolpersteine throughout Europe."

The Stolpersteine project is organised by Gunter Demnig’s not-for-profit “TRACES OF THE PAST” foundation. At present almost 90,000 stones have already been laid in more than 1,800 locations throughout Europe. As the transport partner for the Stolpersteine, DPD is responsible for providing free shipping within Germany and Europe. In addition, the international parcel service intends to spread the message of the Stolpersteine within both its own staff and beyond.