What does German citizenship mean? |
West Germany in May 1949 laid the groundwork for the unified Germany we know today. Following the Second World War, the Basic Law was established to ensure that the atrocities of the Nazi era would never be repeated. During the Holocaust, the Nazis deprived Jews and other minorities of their full citizenship rights, resulting in the tragic deaths of 6 million Jews. The legacy of this dark chapter continues to influence contemporary life in Germany. Memorials serve as poignant reminders of those who suffered. Pippa Goldschmidt, the granddaughter of a German Jew, has a personal connection to this history. Her grandfather managed to escape Nazi persecution by fleeing to England, where Pippa was raised. Decades later, she has reclaimed her German citizenship as a descendant of a victim of Nazi persecution, exercising her right under the Basic Law. Currently residing in Berlin, citizenship holds both a practical and symbolic significance for her. Pippa, a writer, is prep...