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Traces of post-war memory at the Auschwitz Memorial

At the entrance to the historic grounds of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz I, visitors can see the first conserved postwar memory markers which until now had been located on authentic post-camp buildings or within the historic space of the former camp.

The first items placed there are: a stone from Jerusalem, left at the Museum in 1992 by Israeli President Chaim Herzog, which had been located in front of Block 27, as well as two plaques from the mid-1990s from the wall of Block 15, dedicated to scouts imprisoned in Auschwitz and members of the Home Army active in the area around the camp.

This is the second stage of an ongoing project involving the conservation and presentation of postwar commemorations to Museum visitors. All remaining plaques placed in the past on historic structures of the Memorial should be moved to the new location later this year.

“The priority of the work of the Auschwitz Museum is to protect the authenticity of the entire post-camp site and its original remains. This applies both to personal objects belonging to the victims and documents, as well as to historic buildings and ruins. In the past, especially during the first decades of the existance of the Museum, plaques, stones and small forms of commemoration were placed on the walls of some historic buildings and within the post-camp space. They were expressions of remembrance of various groups of victims, individuals and events connected with the history of Auschwitz. Over time, however, our conservation philosophy became established and matured,” said Museum Director Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński.

The last plaque of this kind on a historic building in the former Auschwitz I camp was placed in 1996. Later, the Museum decided to discontinue this form of commemoration on authentic structures.

“The ongoing project combines two elements of the mission of the Museum, established by the will of Survivors in 1947: the protection of the historic substance of the former camp and the protection of the memory of the victims of Auschwitz. All the plaques located on the site are important traces of postwar memory. Until now, however, they functioned in a certain dispersal. Now, after undergoing the necessary conservation work, they are being transferred to a specially prepared new space of remembrance,” emphasized Director Cywiński.

The plaques are located along the main visitor route, just outside the exit from the tunnel leading from the Visitor Services Center to the grounds of the former camp. Visitors to the Memorial can hear there the names of Auschwitz victims.

“As a result, the plaques are much more visible and, at the same time, are placed within a broader symbolic context. We preserve their commemorative function while avoiding interference with the historic substance of the post-camp buildings. Our action shows the coexistence of different dimensions of memory: the memory of the victims, postwar forms of commemoration, and contemporary responsibility for preserving the authenticity of the Memorial,” emphasized Piotr Cywiński.

“Unfortunately, the issue of relocating the plaques has become part of a disinformation campaign concerning the functioning of the Memorial. Therefore, it must be clearly emphasized: the aim of the actions being carried out is not to erase memory, but to protect it. We are preserving postwar testimonies of remembrance, securing them through conservation, and presenting them in a dignified and visible place,” emphasized Museum spokesperson Bartosz Bartyzel.

Visitors are encouraged to leave flowers or wreaths by the plaques. Anyone wishing to place candles should notify visitor services in advance due to fire safety requirements.