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Let us bear witness to the truth. Auschwitz Memorial Report 2012.
The English-Polish summary report for 2012 of the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum has been published. In his introduction, Director Dr Piotr M.A. Cywiński writes about the specific role of future generations in supporting the memory of the history of Auschwitz. “People survived and gave testimony. Today, thanks to their words and also to the original extant remains of the camp space, we remember and we try to understand. The knowledge we have obtained imposes a fearful obligation on us,” it reads.
”Geheimnisträger, the bearers of secrets. This name was applied to a special group of prisoners in the camp. Above all, to those who had seen with their own eyes the heart of the Holocaust, [...] Today, in a certain way, we are all Geheimnisträger, and what future generations will know, remember, and understand depends on us—exclusively on us,” wrote Piotr Cywiński, appealing: “Let us bear witness to the truth.”
In the 72-page publication, information can be found on the most important events of the past year at the Memorial, including information concerning conservation work and the activities of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, which raises funds for their financing. “Twenty‑three countries, three cities, and numerous companies and private individuals are already supporting the Foundation, which has so far received pledges of almost €99 million for the fund. An additional €21 million remains to be raised,” it reads.
A lot of space was also given to education. Last year, the site of the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz had a record number of 1.43 million people. Many of them were introduced to the Site in 18 languages by nearly 300 educators, over which substantial care is exercised by the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust. The report not only contains information about the seminars, workshops, and educational conferences held at the Auschwitz Memorial, but also about the dynamically developing education provided on the Internet, i.e. through e-learning and the presence on the largest social networking sites.
Other topics discussed in the report include: new publications, directions of research work, new and developing exhibitions, volunteering, as well as new items in the Archive and Museum Collections. Financial statements and a list of donors who have supported the Museum are also important elements of the report. The text is accompanied by photographs presenting the most important events at the Memorial Site, as well as reproductions of artefacts and archival documents.
The report is published two days before the 68th anniversaty of the liberation of the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz.
