Berlin Monument: Memorial to the Murder Jews

 


On Sunday, I got to walk through the Memorial to the Murder Jews. Without knowing the background of this memorial, I would have thought this place was just a fun monument to walk and play around in. Knowing that this monument is dedicated to the murder jews of Europe, it gives this place a more depressing aura that allows you to get caught into. The block (slates) look like gravestones. It's so easy to get lost with the the blocks getting high and the ground getting lower. There is an exhibit below the memorial filled with information about the victims of the holocaust and allowing visitors to see the holocaust through the victims eyes. The memorial is very moving and does an excellent job as portraying it meaning.

Something that really intrigue me is that the site where the Memorial to the Murder Jews of Europe stand has no importance to Jews or the Holocaust. It does stand in Berlin, which held one of the largest populating of Jews in Europe before WWII (wikipedia). I think that it plays a part in the holocaust by affecting everyone everywhere and that it imprint of the holocaust is everywhere.  The blocks(slates) don't hold any importance to. They don't have an engraving or names to Jews. I think that it's important that the information Bureau is located underneath the slates to represented Germany covering the darkness of the holocaust during WWII. It's shows you have depressing the Holocaust is by displaying letter from little kids who lost their live during the holocaust. The memorial is dedicated to a piece of history that Berlin can never escape from.

How does the Memorial to the Murder Jews contribute to Berlin as a cultural capitol? The memorial contributes to Berlin "ugly" past and a way to show that they have grown from that. Berlin will always have to be reminded of their part in the Holocaust and will always be connected to the reason behind so many death of Jews. Instead of trying to erase their past, Berlin shows their regrets by having monuments and historical sites connected to the holocaust dedicated to the life of the Jew and showing that Berlin haven't always been this prefect city. The memorial to the Murder Jews precisely is a way to show their sorrow and a one to rebuild their city.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_to_the_Murdered_Jews_of_Europe

Comments

  1. Sayler SchlosserJune 18, 2024 at 8:53 PM

    Hey Audrey! The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin really struck me. The blocks look like gravestones, and walking through feels somber. It shows Berlin facing its history and honoring the victims, making the city a stronger cultural capital with a deep sense of remembrance.

    ReplyDelete

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