In a poignant act of remembrance, residents of Nijmegen are dedicating themselves to a harrowing 100-hour marathon of name readings, honoring the victims of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the recent attacks in Israel. What began as a local initiative has transformed into a powerful statement against the backdrop of war, as hundreds gather to read the names of those lost—both Israeli and Palestinian—amid the echoes of their own city’s wartime history.

Organized by volunteers and supported by the data compilation group Air Wars, this solemn event is taking place across four locations, including a church, where the names of the deceased are being recited. As the readings continue, the sheer scale of loss becomes painfully clear. “We started with the Israeli victims and have now transitioned to the Palestinian names—over 50 hours in, we are still reading,” one participant shared, their voice heavy with emotion.

The volunteers are not merely reading names; they are creating a physical representation of grief—a 12-kilometer-long rope with knots symbolizing each life lost. As night falls, the readings persist, a stark reminder that with every name spoken, more lives are being claimed in the ongoing violence. “It’s heartbreaking,” said one volunteer, reflecting on the familiarity of names from their own village.

As the clock approaches 1:00 a.m., the readings continue, with organizers hoping to conclude the ceremony by Sunday evening. Yet, as they gather to honor the dead, they remain acutely aware that the toll continues to rise. This powerful act of commemoration is not just a local event; it is a call to action, urging Europe to recognize the ongoing genocide that remains nameless. In Nijmegen, the fight for remembrance is far from over.