The authorities of Aschaffenburg have officially launched a competition procedure aimed at selecting a design for a memorial site for the victims of the tragic knife attack in May 2025. This initiative represents the next step in the process of commemorating the victims of the crime that shocked all of Bavaria. The city invites artists to submit proposals that pay tribute to the murdered man and child, while also creating a space for reflection in the city park.
Start of the competition procedure
The application process has officially opened for artists wishing to design a memorial site in Schöntal Park.
Investment budget
The city has allocated a total of 300,000 euros for the implementation of the memorial and the management of the competition.
Work schedule
The competition results are planned for autumn 2026, with the monument's unveiling scheduled for 2028.
The city of Aschaffenburg in Bavaria has taken a significant step towards permanently commemorating the victims of the tragic knife attack in May 2025 by officially announcing a nationwide competition for the design of a memorial site. This decision, backed by the City Council, envisions the creation of an artistic installation in Schöntal Park, the site of the dramatic events. The city authorities emphasize that the goal of the investment is not only to honor the victims but also to create a dignified space for residents affected by the trauma of the incident. The project has a budget of 300,000 euros, of which 250,000 euros are allocated directly for technical implementation, and the remaining amount will cover artist fees and competition costs. A professional jury, consisting of experts in the fields of art and architecture, is to select the winning concept by autumn 2026. The city has also set the final deadline for the monument's completion for January 2028, giving creators ample time to carefully refine the form of the memorial, which is intended to become a permanent feature of the park's landscape.The German tradition of creating memorial sites, known as Erinnerungskultur (culture of remembrance), has placed particular emphasis in recent decades on commemorating victims of contemporary acts of violence. This model draws from experiences related to creating Stolpersteine (stumbling stones), which personalize the victims of crimes, shifting the narrative focus from politics to individual human fate. This event is being closely watched by German public opinion, as the attack in Aschaffenburg, in which a man and a small child were killed, became a symbol of threats in public spaces. The initiative to build a Gedenkort (memorial site) in Aschaffenburg is intended to be a form of response to the need for social solidarity. The Stadtrat (City Council) is involved in the preparation process, overseeing the transparency of spending public funds from the budget of Bavaria. The final form of the installation is to combine artistic value with a therapeutic function for the local community.