Cologne Wailing Wall Explained

The Cologne Wailing Wall was created at the end of 1980 by Walter Herrmann in the Schildergasse in Cologne, Western Germany.^[1]

Overview

Messages denouncing the living conditions of Palestinian people were written on small cardboard pieces and suspended on clotheslines. The "Wailing Wall" was erected in 1991 in front of the south tower of the Cologne Cathedral, supported by a vigil against the Second Gulf War. The authorities attempted to stop the project multiple times, using lawsuits,^[2] confiscations and evictions.

Until 1997, 50,000 supporters used this form of open communication to post their messages of solidarity, calls for social justice or letters of support on cardboard. The project was awarded the in 1998.

The "Wailing Wall" was reactivated in 2004 by Walter Herrmann.^[3] The project was criticized and accused of one-sidedness and antisemitism.^[4] ^[5]

Notes and References

Web site: The Wailing Wall For Peace. Sense of Cologne. Sense of Cologne. 2 June 2012. Walter Hermann. Interview. https://web.archive.org/web/20120610215426/http://www.f8.com/FP/PHOTOKINA/INT1a.htm. 10 June 2012. dead.
Web site: Wiesenthal Centre Applauds Gerd Buurman for Demanding the Close of Cologne "Wailing Wall" Antisemitic Exhibit. Simon Wiesenthal Center. Simon Wiesenthal Center. 2 June 2012. 19 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110104120547/http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441467&ct=8191293. 4 January 2011. dead.
Web site: Mahner mit Hang zur Egomanie. taz nrw. Pascal Beucker. 2 June 2012. Von Pascal Beucker. German. 12 July 2007.
Web site: Artikelrubriken : Antisemitismus. Die Judische. Die Judische. 2 June 2012. German. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225073152/http://www.juedische.at/TCgi/_v2/TCgi.cgi?target=home&Param_Kat=3&Param_RB=31. 25 February 2012. dead.
Web site: German mayor slams ‘Cologne Wailing Wall’ exhibit. Jerusalem Post. Jerusalem Post. 2 June 2012. Benjamin Weinthal. 26 December 2010.