Scandal about Binzer Photo: Memory work meets dark past

Scandal about Binzer Photo: Memory work meets dark past

In the past few days, a reposted photo on the official Instagram channel of the Binz seaside resort in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has ensured malicious joy and outrage. What can be behind an apparently harmless historical picture? A few days ago, a black and white photo from 1938 was shared, which shows the Binz Bay. But at this time bad things happened that the community today remind of its historical context. In fact, in the course of the Aryanization, numerous Jewish Kurhaus operators in Binz were forced, just a few months before the devastating events of the November pogroms, in which many Jews were dismissed and murdered.

The short -term reaction of the community on these faux pas was a public apology. The publication of the picture was called "bad and unfortunate breakdown". The picture was deleted again immediately after the outcry, but the discussion about the culture of memory in the region was initiated.

a place with a weighty past

The municipality of Binz actively deals with the past of the island of Rügen, especially with regard to the Nazi era. Prora, the place where the National Socialist regime wanted to build an impressive holiday complex, is particularly relevant in this context. Planned by the organization "Power through Joy", Prora was originally intended to serve 20,000 people as a resort, but the construction work was stopped in 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War. In today's world, the system is a place to deal with its history.

a new approach to memory

to actively promote the examination of this difficult past, the community is planning a new museum of memory culture. The connection of the historical context with contemporary conveying is important. In addition, the existing documentation center in Prora is to be revitalized in order to bring the history and teachings closer to a wider audience.

In order to further promote the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, the virtual wall of the memory of Yad Vashem was also launched. Here over 80,000 people from Germany can remind the victims and share their stories. Such initiatives are essential to create a sound and respectful culture of memory.

And what about the German memory culture? On January 27, 2025, the International Memorial Day for the victims of the Holocaust will be celebrated again in Berlin. Such memorial days are far more than mere processes; They help to maintain the educational dialogues about our past and remind you that the examination of your own history has never been completed. This means that the mandate remains not to be forgotten for future generations, especially for future generations and to work to ensure that such a disaster does not repeat.