At Home in Brno: Štetl Fest 2026

My sister and I are leaving Paris this morning after an amazing experience in Brno, Czech Republic, where we laid Stolpersteine (memorial stones for the departed) in front of the house where my father was born in 1932.We were invited to stay in my father's home during the Fest, which made the experience especially meaningful and moving.Other cousins, all descendants of the same great-great-grandparents, also laid stones in front of the homes that were the last residences of their relatives before deportation or escape.The stones were part of a larger event, Štetl Fest, which honors a different influential Brno family every year. This year, it was our family, the Placzeks. Now in its fifth year, the festival includes many presentations, musical events, and other celebrations.I gave a talk on the history of my father's house, which originally belonged to our great-great-grandparents. Meeting wonderful new family members and the Fest organizers made this an unforgettable experience. Seeing old friends from Brno was priceless!

Arriving at what was once my grandparents' house in Brno, with my sister and childhood friend (taking the picture).

Being shown around the house by current owner (and friend!) Jana and daughter Vilma.

Speech time with cousin Erich at the family welcome dinner (August 25).

Cousins Tracey and Michael at the welcome dinner.

Cousin Michael's partner, childhood friend Sylvia, and sister Catherine at the welcome dinner.

Maria made me a pair of earrings, as she said, "one stitch at a time." Such a thoughtful gift!

Jáchym Kanarek, president of the Brno Jewish Community, performing the stone laying ceremony in front of the house. The stones are laid in several countries in commemoration of those who were deported, killed, or had to flee during the Holocaust

Family members, friends and community members at the ceremony.

Stones were laid for our great-grandmother Jella/Goa, our grandfather Oskar, our great-uncle Georg, our grandmother Hélène and our father Edouard (spelt Eduard in Czech).

One of the two men responsible for the laying of the stones.

It's quite a process!

Michael at the emotional stone-laying ceremony for his grandfather, Hans Fuhrmann.