More than three-quarters of a century after the end of the Second World War and Germany’s liberation from the Nazis, the urgent question remains as to how to remember this going forward. The historical memory of National Socialism and the Holocaust is now part of Germany’s collective consciousness and has, at least nominally, taken its place at the heart of society. However, the emphasis is increasingly shifting away from critical discussions focused on examining the past in relation to the present day, and being replaced instead by a government-approved memorial culture that is often less critical, whereby Germany’s distance from its National Socialist past is more strongly underscored than the aftermath of this past and the resurgence of antidemocratic and racist attitudes in politics and society. Moreover, the country is inevitably bidding farewell to the survivors of Nazi persecution, resulting in the loss of an important political and moral authority. These people were able to move us in a unique way with their reports and interviews, bringing the past to life and ist relevance to the present day along with it.
Prof Dr Volkhard Knigge will speak to people who have long observed and helped shape the culture of remembrance. It is about the historical remembrance of a history that shouldn‘t have happened, but happened anyway. In three conversations he will explore historical developments and what future historical remembrance can look like that preserves its critical-enlightenment potential instead of being diluted into self-satisfaction and pride at having dealt so thoroughly with the past.
»Aufarbeitung der Vergangenheit, Gedenkstättenarbeit, Demokratisierung. Geschichte und Renovierungsbedarf eines wegweisenden Projekts.«
SUN, 29 AUG — 5 PM | Hotel Elephant Weimar
mit Dr. Zofia Wóycicka (Deutsches Historisches Institut Warschau) und Prof. Dr. Norbert Frei (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena).
»Was ist vom ›Nie wieder‹ geblieben?«
MON, 30 AUG — 8 PM | Deutsches Nationaltheater, Foyer
mit Ivan Ivanji und Éva Pusztai als Auschwitz- und Buchenwaldüberlebende
»Verbrechensgeschichte begreifen«
THU, 2 SEP — 7 PM | Deutsches Nationaltheater, Foyer
mit Dr. Elke Gryglewski (Geschäftsführerin der Stiftung Niedersächsische Gedenkstätten) und Prof. Dr. Jens-Christian Wagner (Direktor der Stiftung Gedenkstätten Buchenwald und Mittelbau-Dora)
KOOPERATION — STIFTUNG GEDENKSTÄTTEN BUCHENWALD UND MITTELBAU-DORA | FÖRDERVEREIN BUCHENWALD E. V.
