All 25,843 names of Dossin deportees recorded after two-and-a-half-year project

The memorial museum at Kazerne Dossin has completed its “Every Name Counts” project after two and a half years.

The project recorded the names of all 25,843 people who were deported from the former Dossin barracks during the Second World War. Each name was spoken by a different volunteer, giving every victim their own voice.

The deportees were sent from Mechelen to Nazi concentration and extermination camps. At the time, many lost their identity and were reduced to numbers. The project aims to restore their names and humanity.

Whenever possible, volunteers were matched with a deportee through a shared first name, age or birthday, creating a personal connection. Museum director Tomas Baum said the recordings form a lasting “sound memorial” that will become a permanent part of the site.

In the next phase, visitors will be able to hear all 25,843 names in the memorial. Later this year, the museum will also open a photo exhibition, created with photographer Lieve Blancquaert, featuring archive images alongside portraits of people who took part in the project.

Kazerne Dossin is now a museum and memorial dedicated to the Holocaust and human rights. During the war, it served as a transit camp from which thousands of Jews and Roma were deported by the Nazi regime.

^{#FlandersNewsService | The wall with pictures of Holocaust victims at Kazerne Dossin © BELGA PHOTO KATLEEN VASTIAU}