Remembrance Day: Bocholt commemorates the victims of war and violence

On Remembrance Day, Sunday 15 November 2026, Bocholt will commemorate the victims of war and tyranny. The public memorial service will begin at 11.00 am at the 1939-45 Memorial in the cemetery on Blücherstraße. All residents are invited to attend.

At 10.50 am, delegations from Bocholt's clubs and associations, along with all other participants, will gather in front of the cemetery chapel. From there, they will walk together at 11 am to the 1939-45 Memorial, where the shooting clubs will lay their wreaths to begin the ceremony.

Following a musical interlude, the First Deputy Mayor, Gudrun Koppers, will welcome those present. Afterwards, a group of pupils from the Euregio Gymnasium will present their own contribution to the commemoration ceremony. They will be accompanied by their teacher, Torsten Sill. This year's commemorative address will be delivered by pastoral advisor André Bösing. Music will be played between the speeches. Following the closing remarks by Gudrun Koppers, the ceremony will conclude with a silent salute from the delegations.

"Remembrance Day reminds us that peace cannot be taken for granted", emphasises Björn Volmering, First Councillor and Head of the Culture Department, highlighting the significance of the day: "those who commemorate the victims of war and violence also take responsibility for our coexistence today."

Remembrance Day is observed in Germany every year on the second Sunday before the first Sunday in Advent. It commemorates those who died in both World Wars and all those who lost their lives as a result of war, tyranny, terror and persecution.

The Bocholt district branch of the German War Graves Commission is organising the memorial service in conjunction with the town of Bocholt. The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend.