UPDATE: Germany has just canceled an “offensive” auction of Holocaust artifacts scheduled for tomorrow, July 16, 2023, following significant backlash from Holocaust survivors and international criticism. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced the cancellation on social media, confirming that he and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul “agreed that such a scandal must be prevented.”
The auction, organized by the Felzmann auction house in Neuss, near Düsseldorf, was set to feature over 600 lots of sensitive historical documents, including letters from concentration camp prisoners and Gestapo records. This collection was titled “The System of Terror,” a label that many found deeply offensive.
Holocaust survivors and advocacy groups reacted swiftly, calling the auction a “cynical and shameless undertaking.” Christoph Heubner, executive vice president of the International Auschwitz Committee, stated that the sale exploited the suffering of victims for commercial gain. He emphasized that these documents belong to the families of the victims and should be preserved in museums or memorials, not treated as commodities.
Earlier today, a group of Holocaust survivors urged the auction house to cancel the event, expressing outrage over the potential sale of documents that identify individuals by name. By mid-afternoon, a listing for the auction was removed from the Felzmann website, although the auction house has not yet issued an official statement.
This decision comes at a critical time as the world grapples with the legacy of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance. Heubner’s comments resonate deeply: “Their history and the suffering of all those persecuted and murdered by the Nazis is being exploited for commercial gain.”
The swift cancellation of the auction reflects growing awareness and sensitivity towards Holocaust victims and their families. As discussions continue about how to properly honor and remember this tragic history, the actions taken today serve as a significant step toward respecting the dignity of those who suffered.
What happens next? The international community is now watching closely for further developments and potential legal actions regarding the auction house’s handling of such sensitive artifacts. The urgency of this issue highlights the ongoing need for education and awareness surrounding the Holocaust and its implications for society today.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
