Maintain memory: Hiking exhibition #StolenMemory in Gelnhausen

Maintain memory: Hiking exhibition #StolenMemory in Gelnhausen

The hiking exhibition #StolenMemory of the Arolsen Archives can currently be seen in front of the Main-Kinzig-Forum in Gelnhausen. This innovative exhibition focuses on the fates of people who have been detained and murdered in concentration camps. It is part of a long-term campaign, the memorabilia that has been robbed of Nazi persecutors, to whose families wants to return. So far, over 900 families have been found who have already received objects as part of this initiative, reports The Arolsen Archives keep personal objects of around 2,000 former concentration camp prisoners. This includes wedding rings, watches, fillers and wallets, which often represent the last connection to the victims. The objects come from more than 30 countries, mostly from Poland, Germany and the former Soviet Union. In particular, the effects from the Neuengamme concentration camp, but also from the Dachau concentration camp play a central role in the exhibition and the associated return campaign, explains arolsen-archives.org .

insight into the exhibition

The #stolenMemory exhibition is divided into two main parts: "Found" shows the returned objects and their stories, while "searched" presents the objects that are still waiting for return. In the exhibition, QR codes enable visitors to access video portraits of relatives of former prisoners. This multimedia addition is intended to strengthen the emotional connections between the objects and the stories of the families concerned. Floriane Azoulay, director of the Arolsen Archives, emphasizes how significant the return of these objects for the relatives, since they are often invaluable for these families.

The exhibition has visited many European cities such as Paris, Warsaw, Moscow, Barcelona and Venice since its opening in August 2020. Their goal is to raise awareness of the fates of the Nazi victims and to keep the story of the Holocaust alive. The exhibition is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 3, 2023 and is financially supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media and the Federal Foreign Office.

educational materials and support from volunteers

Accompanying the exhibition, the Arolsen Archives offer the Stolenmemory.org website, which provides animated films and pedagogical material that can be downloaded free of charge. These materials are specifically designed for the integration of #stolen memory into school lessons and international youth work. The active search for families of the Nazi victims is also supported by volunteers who come from different countries and sometimes provide help on site. Social media also plays an important role in public relations and mobilization of support.

The Arolsen Archives are considered the largest collection of the persecution by the Nazi regime worldwide. Your documents are heterogeneous and offer a deep insight into the biographies of the persecuted. A comprehensive overview of the available documents can be researched by an overall inventory before a visit to the archive in Bad Arolsen. This archive is a valuable resource for everyone who wants to deal with the history and the consequences of National Socialism, so arolsen-archives.org .