Poland’s DPM Halts Auction of Nazi Death Camp Artifacts
A planned auction in Germany featuring artifacts from Nazi concentration camps was canceled due to public outcry. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, announced that the German auction house Felzmann agreed to halt the sale. The auction was set to take place in Neuss.
Public Response to Auction Cancellation
On a recent Sunday, Sikorski expressed gratitude towards his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, for taking action against what he called a scandal. The decision followed calls from a Holocaust survivors’ organization and various politicians urging the cessation of the auction.
Details of the Auction
The auction included over 600 items, such as:
- A letter from an Auschwitz prisoner
- A medical document concerning the forced sterilization of a Dachau prisoner
Reports indicated that the auction listing was removed from the Auktionshaus Felzmann website by Sunday afternoon. The auction house has yet to respond to media inquiries.
Statements Against the Auction
Wolfram Weimer, Germany’s State Minister for Culture, emphasized that items linked to Nazi perpetrators should not belong to private collections. He urged for measures to prevent similar auctions in the future.
Christoph Heubner, Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee (IAC), condemned the auction as “cynical and shameless,” expressing outrage on behalf of victims and Holocaust survivors. He stated that the artifacts should be preserved for educational purposes rather than commercial gain.
Investigation into Artefacts
Poland’s Culture Minister, Marta Cienkowska, announced that her ministry would investigate the origin of the artifacts. This research aims to determine if any items should be repatriated to Poland.
Historical Context
Auschwitz played a significant role in the Nazi effort to eliminate Europe’s Jewish population, with nearly one million Jews killed at the site. Additionally, numerous Poles, Roma, and Russian prisoners of war were among the victims.
Many artifacts slated for the auction were reported to have originated from Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentrations camps. Heubner argued that these items rightfully belong to the victims’ families and should be displayed in educational institutions.
In summary, the cancellation of the auction underscores the collective sentiment against commercializing Nazi memorabilia. The artifacts should serve as reminders of history and respect for those who suffered.
