Auschwitz - sensitive material.
Discussion
Been to a few of these places now and each one left a lasting impression, each for different reasons.
The overriding feeling I have is that how easily the Holocaust happened and unease that it could easily happen again for all our pride that we are modern people and would never let it happen again.
The industrial scale of the destruction of humanity is difficult to comprehend until you visit yourself and then you try to understand how mostly normal people got caught up, either through self interest or perhaps charitably to protect their own families from the excesses.
Whatever, the first time you visit, you go away at least sombre and in my case with 3 nights of nightmares. Perhaps because I was researching family members who died in these places. Including young kids that missed the last Kindertransport by 2 days having been smuggled by a Belgian aunt from Dusseldorf to Amsterdam.
Now, I have photos of most of the relatives that perished but I would not post the photos out of respect for the individuals and that is why Auschwitz requests that you do not take photos of their belongings in the interiors.
I am not sure that it should be compulsory to visit one of these places but for German school kids it is and for Israeli students it is expected. I can’t even say that I recommend visiting but if you do, you will definitely be forced to consider how easily humans can be persuaded to victimise others through some easily identifiable characteristic.
TL:DR Be careful that you don’t allow your prejudices to subdue your humanity.
The overriding feeling I have is that how easily the Holocaust happened and unease that it could easily happen again for all our pride that we are modern people and would never let it happen again.
The industrial scale of the destruction of humanity is difficult to comprehend until you visit yourself and then you try to understand how mostly normal people got caught up, either through self interest or perhaps charitably to protect their own families from the excesses.
Whatever, the first time you visit, you go away at least sombre and in my case with 3 nights of nightmares. Perhaps because I was researching family members who died in these places. Including young kids that missed the last Kindertransport by 2 days having been smuggled by a Belgian aunt from Dusseldorf to Amsterdam.
Now, I have photos of most of the relatives that perished but I would not post the photos out of respect for the individuals and that is why Auschwitz requests that you do not take photos of their belongings in the interiors.
I am not sure that it should be compulsory to visit one of these places but for German school kids it is and for Israeli students it is expected. I can’t even say that I recommend visiting but if you do, you will definitely be forced to consider how easily humans can be persuaded to victimise others through some easily identifiable characteristic.
TL:DR Be careful that you don’t allow your prejudices to subdue your humanity.
NordicCrankShaft said:
In Krakow next weekend with a visit to Birkenau booked for the Saturday. Have been watching the Auschwitz docu-series on netflix in preparation. Not even been there yet and the sheer amount of mass murder is difficult to not be moved.
Krakow is great, lovely city with decent bars and restaurants all over. Went to a cracking restaurant known for its flavored vodka shots, the name bloody escapes me but it was very good.I find it hard to find the correct way to describe visiting Auschwitz/Birkenau, but will certainly return 1 day.
I think the salt mine is worth a mention also, didn't think it would be my sort of thing but is also well worth a visit if you have time.
I visited Dachau back in November, on a dull and wet day. Like many it seems, I had an internal debate on whether I should or not, as I was only in Munich for one day, before driving deeper into Bavaria for a photography trip. Ultimately I had to, as I've always had a deep interest in all aspects of WW2.
I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
danllama said:
I visited Dachau back in November, on a dull and wet day. Like many it seems, I had an internal debate on whether I should or not, as I was only in Munich for one day, before driving deeper into Bavaria for a photography trip. Ultimately I had to, as I've always had a deep interest in all aspects of WW2.
I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
It's interesting that you posted this. I also only took one photo. I could not bring myself to take more. I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
I was prepared to be emotionally impacted at the site but wasn't at all. Taking everything in used up everything. I couldn't sleep the following night and had nightmares last night.
There's a naievity in me that cannot understand how this happened and how man can treat a large number of people on this way. Something I have always struggled with but have found much more difficult since the visit.
I'd recommend it though as we have a duty to remember and try and ensure this never happens again.
As you say standing in a particular spot and thinking of the people passing through is humbling.
Edit: thankyou OP much appreciated.
Edited by 0a on Friday 3rd March 21:38
We visited back in 2015 as part of a road trip.
If you take away the history and the knowledge of what occurred there, in the summer with 40 degrees heat you could be initially forgiven to think it is a beautiful place, as it is, but that cannot hide the history and sadness associated with it.
I found it hard to get emotionally involved as what was once a huge machine for murder, processing the victims as they left the trains was now, somewhat ironically, mass processing tourists as they left their coaches. We intend to return when it is colder as I want to get back when it is quieter for some real personal reflection.
We stayed there for a week as our base in Poland, the town is beautiful and the people warm and friendly.
For those that have not been, I did a drive around the camp to show the scale of the famous/infamous 3 camp. It was massive, all built by the prisoners too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8eBu4-3M0&t=...
Whilst on the tour, you enter a gas house. Everyone shuffled around, in and out not seemingly taking much attention. No one appeared to think of looking up. Photography was permitted so I took this shot. I'll leave you to take from it what you will.
We drove there via a few stops in Germany. What the Nazi's built in the ways of the stadiums and conference halls looked epic, stunning buildings but then you get to see behind the facade and how it was all a show. This architecture and how it was all gloss over crumbling buildings was a good juxtapose about the regime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxsod6-_OZs
If you take away the history and the knowledge of what occurred there, in the summer with 40 degrees heat you could be initially forgiven to think it is a beautiful place, as it is, but that cannot hide the history and sadness associated with it.
I found it hard to get emotionally involved as what was once a huge machine for murder, processing the victims as they left the trains was now, somewhat ironically, mass processing tourists as they left their coaches. We intend to return when it is colder as I want to get back when it is quieter for some real personal reflection.
We stayed there for a week as our base in Poland, the town is beautiful and the people warm and friendly.
For those that have not been, I did a drive around the camp to show the scale of the famous/infamous 3 camp. It was massive, all built by the prisoners too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8eBu4-3M0&t=...
Whilst on the tour, you enter a gas house. Everyone shuffled around, in and out not seemingly taking much attention. No one appeared to think of looking up. Photography was permitted so I took this shot. I'll leave you to take from it what you will.
We drove there via a few stops in Germany. What the Nazi's built in the ways of the stadiums and conference halls looked epic, stunning buildings but then you get to see behind the facade and how it was all a show. This architecture and how it was all gloss over crumbling buildings was a good juxtapose about the regime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxsod6-_OZs
0a said:
danllama said:
I visited Dachau back in November, on a dull and wet day. Like many it seems, I had an internal debate on whether I should or not, as I was only in Munich for one day, before driving deeper into Bavaria for a photography trip. Ultimately I had to, as I've always had a deep interest in all aspects of WW2.
I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
It's interesting that you posted this. I also only took one photo. I could not bring myself to take more. I couldn't bring myself to take photos, despite being a photographer. I only took one photo on my phone. It was through a window in the main building, looking out at the entire site. I was consumed trying to imagine how many murdered people had stood in the same spot looking out.
I was prepared to be emotionally impacted at the site but wasn't at all. Taking everything in used up everything. I couldn't sleep the following night and had nightmares last night.
There's a naievity in me that cannot understand how this happened and how man can treat a large number of people on this way. Something I have always struggled with but have found much more difficult since the visit.
I'd recommend it though as we have a duty to remember and try and ensure this never happens again.
As you say standing in a particular spot and thinking of the people passing through is humbling.
Edit: thankyou OP much appreciated.
Edited by 0a on Friday 3rd March 21:38
IMG_20161110_142210-01 Dachau by Dan J, on FlickrGassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff