Commemorative Holocaust Structure in Berlin Reaches 20-Year Milestone
Stepping through a Graveyard of the Past:
Some find it unsettling, reminiscent of a cemetery filled with gravestones. Others describe it as a labyrinth of coffins, disorienting and disappointingly silent in the heart of Berlin.
For twenty years, the German capital's Holocaust Memorial—an arrangement of 2,711 concrete slabs—has served as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust's atrocities. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe has become a powerful emblem of Germany's commitment to ensuring history never repeats itself.
As the world gears up to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, anxious voices warn that Germany's tradition of remembrance is showing signs of fading.
Picture Credit: AFP
The memorial's architect, Peter Eisenman, aimed to create an experience unique to the city, describing it as a place where one can lose their way, even amid the open spaces.
"It can be scary, because you have the feeling that you might lose a child, for instance," said the 92-year-old Eisenman. However, he emphasized that the intention was not to evoke feelings of guilt or sorrow.
Rather, he explained, "kids love it because they play tag and hide-and-seek, run around. People sunbathe on the slabs. You're supposed to do whatever you want to do. It's not prescribed."
The idea of establishing a central Holocaust memorial in Berlin emerged in the 1980s, but the project faced delayed realization due to fears of provoking anti-Semitism. The German parliament eventually approved the project in 1999, and the memorial, including an underground information center, officially opened on May 10, 2005.
Exact visitor numbers aren't tracked, but Uwe Neumaerker, the head of the foundation responsible for the memorial's maintenance, stated that it's a common stop for tourists visiting Berlin.
"It's accessible 24/7, and there are always visitors here. Whether or not people love it, it's something they've connected to emotionally," he said.
The memorial, costing approximately €2 million annually to maintain, is, according to Neumaerker, a worthwhile investment given the number of visitors it attracts.
On any given day in Berlin, tourists can be seen wandering through the slabs, taking photos, and pausing to ponder history.
A visitor from England, Clifford Greenhalgh, shared, "I think the German people have done a great thing in establishing something like this as a memorial. It's unique—there are no names, but it's a reminder you don't need names for to fully understand the scale of the horror."
A student from Kazakhstan, Polina Chernyavskaya, reflected, "Walking here, I feel calm and at peace. It's like visiting a cemetery—it's quiet, and you can think."
Until now, reminders of the Nazis' atrocities and the mantra "never again" have been central to German politics and society. However, unnerving trends are arising, such as the continued rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which placed second in the federal elections in February.
AfD member Bjoern Hoecke has labeled the Berlin memorial a "monument of shame." Tech billionaire Elon Musk appeared at an AfD rally, stating that Germany was too preoccupied with past guilt.
A study published by EVZ, a foundation dedicated to commemoration culture, revealed that more than 38% of respondents feel it's time to put an end to discussions of the Nazi era. Veronika Hager, a consultant to the EVZ board of directors, views this as a potential watershed moment for remembrance culture.
Despite the reported rise in anti-Semitic attacks and vandalism in Germany in recent years, the memorial has been largely spared. However, in February, a tourist from Spain was seriously injured in a stabbing attack there. The alleged assailant, a Syrian man, was reportedly sympathetic to the Islamic State group.
"We live in challenging times where right-wing extremists and neo-Nazi sentiments are becoming increasingly vocal," Neumaerker said. "In these trying times, a memorial like this is more crucial than ever."
Asked about the memorial's relevance in another twenty years, Eisenman expressed confidence, saying, "I think we did a good memorial. It's abstract, open-ended, and not didactic—it doesn't confine you. I think it'll be here for a long time."
- The general-news about the rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which placed second in the federal elections in February, has raised concerns about the continued relevance of Germany's Holocaust Memorial and the country's commitment to ensuring history never repeats itself.
- In the midst of growing neo-Nazi sentiments, Uwe Neumaerker, the head of the foundation responsible for the memorial's maintenance, emphasized the memorial's importance as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the Nazi era, stating that the memorial, which is visited by tourists daily, is a worthwhile investment in the education of future generations.
- While some, like AfD member Bjoern Hoecke, view the Berlin memorial as a "monument of shame," others, such as architect Peter Eisenman, believe the abstract, open-ended design of the memorial will allow it to remain a powerful emblem of Germany's commitment to remembrance for years to come, demonstrating that the fight against semitism and the preservation of memorials dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust remains an integral part of German politics and society.
