Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
After the Berlin wall came down, there was a big debate on how to remember Germany’s horrible role in the murdering of just about six million Jews. A British architect came up with the structure for this memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe using undulating hills and rigid blocks of varied heights. At first it seems small and shallow, but as you walk in, you find yourself surrounded with towering blocks of concrete. It created a thought provoking landscape that is unique to the individual. This was the aim of the British architect. He wanted people to come here and get what they needed out of the experience. It essentially provides a space to think and a landscape for us to project on.
So what was my reaction? To me the blocks of concrete represented both Nazi ideals or institutions, and secondly the staggering, resultant deaths of millions caused by the Nazi regime. It was almost like they visually showed the weight and consequence of that time. It felt oppressive as you walked into the center as blocks went from ankle height to become gigantic. To me it was a reminder that such hatred towards others may seem very surface until we drive in deeper to find the problem of intolerance to be so much deeper in of society that we previously thought. It also managed to to make me feel lost even thought each structure was in neat, even rows. When I was in deep and the sounds of traffic were muffled to a low hum, the orderliness freaked me out because it reminded me of the control of the regime and how they were all about order, perfection, and getting ride of anything that wouldn’t conform to their arbitrary and biased standard. Me as the individual felt small and oppressed. The atmosphere was so sad and quiet that it really did help me internalize the horrors of the holocaust, and the build up to it, just a little more.
This is so historically significant because, like our professors said, you can’t go far in this monument without running into a block, just like you can’t go far into the history of Germany without running into a problem. Here with this monument they are acknowledging the staggering problems of the past, and helping people remember the atrocities that happened. This is crucial in preventing similar developing ideologies and major intolerant problems. Many of the Jews that died also were buried in mass graves or burned and have no place for their decedents or people to morn them. This monument can be one of the places to pay tribute to the unburied. Overall this monument contributes to the status of Berlin as a cultural capital because it is a way for them and others to remember their history so the story can continue to be told.
Great post Anna! This monument was so cool to walk through and helped me to understand the weight of what it stood for. This contributes to Berlins status as a cultural capital because it shows how important remembrance is to them and how they want to create spaces where people can be respected and remembered for the tragedies they faced. This monument also combined artistic talents to make it an even more special monument.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, Anna! I really loved what you said about how this monument adds to Berlin and its history. This monument is important because we need to recognize those who were impacted during WWII and The Holocaust. I think it's quite moving how the architect designed the memorial. It allowed the visitor to bring what they wanted to and take what they wanted from the experience. And I really loved what you said about running into blocks and how this relates to Germany's history and problems.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I really enjoyed your post about the Memorial to the Murdered Jews. I agree with your description of the feelings you felt there. It was very serene and sad. I feel that having this monument here in Berlin shows that the German people don’t want to sweep this horrible part of their history under the rug which adds to Berlin’s standing as a cultural capital honoring the millions Jewish people that were murdered.
ReplyDeleteReally good post, Anna! You mention that the presence of the memorial to the murdered jews of europe is important because it keeps new fascist movements from developing. I wish that were the case. Alt-right and neo nazi politicians are gaining prominence in germany in part because of the mythologization of nazi-ism. When we make an ideology a boogeyman, no real person can realistically be said to follow that ideology. You also say that the memorial allows for different voices to be heard and stories to be told.
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