Germany on Saturday began marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi pogrom Kristallnacht with solemn ceremonies and touching and innovative tributes to the victims.

Rather than conducting one central memorial event, Germany this year is seeing smaller commemorations throughout the weekend, including striking art projects, Twitter initiatives and silent vigils.

The attacks of Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, saw Nazi thugs plunder Jewish businesses, torch synagogues and round up about 30,000 Jewish men for deportation to concentration camps.