Theme of the exhibition
During the National Socialism era from 1933 to 1945, people were persecuted, deported to camps and murdered. Bergen-Belsen was a prisoner of war camp and a concentration camp. More than 70,000 people died here from abuse, disease and starvation.
The "Wehrmacht" (German armed forces) was responsible for the prisoner of war camp. The concentration camp was run by the Schutzstaffel SS ("Protection Squadron"). Numerous crimes were committed in the camps. The prisoners of the POW camp and the inmates of the concentration camp were catastrophically cared for. Initially, they had no accommodation. They were given little food and drink and were unable to wash properly. Diseases spread. The prisoners and inmates were forced to do hard labour. Many were killed.
Not only the camp staff were involved in the crimes, but also other state and non-state institutions. The civilian population approved and supported the crimes. A system of camps, people and facilities enabled the systematic persecution and murder. This happened throughout Germany. As one of many camps that existed in German-ruled Europe, Bergen-Belsen is exemplary for numerous crime scenes and for the murder of millions of people.
Perpetration and participation in crimes are comparatively little discussed topics in German society today. However, an examination of these issues is essential for understanding Nazi history and for dealing with the crimes committed. But also because right-wing extremist ideas are on the rise again today, it is important to deal with them: With the perpetrators, their background and motivations and with the institutions involved. The history of Bergen-Belsen shows what consequences right-wing extremism, marginalisation and anti-Semitism can have.
The exhibition asks:
- What are the reasons for building and operating such camps?
- Who were the perpetrators?
- Who took part in the crimes?
- Who was responsible?
- What did the perpetrators want?
- What did the perpetrators think? What were they convinced of?
- Why did the civilian population support the crimes?
- What role did institutions play?
Accessibility in the exhibition
The travelling exhibition "A Crime Scene: Bergen-Belsen" is aimed at anyone who wants to find out more about the crimes committed in the Bergen-Belsen camp: People from all walks of life and with different needs. That is why the exhibition is designed for everyone. We first showed the exhibition for six months at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial. It will then travel to many different locations.
The exhibition consists of furniture and an app. The furniture features texts in German, English and German Sign Language (DGS). The app also includes German easy-to-read language and audio descriptions. Audio descriptions are descriptions of images for people who have poor eyesight or are blind. The exhibition also includes tactile models, a media station and a glossary with explanations of difficult terms.
The texts are available in several versions so that everyone can understand the exhibition.
On the exhibition furniture there are:
- German simple language for reading
- English simple language for reading
- German sign language
In the app there is:
- German plain language for reading and listening
- German summaries and audio descriptions for listening
- German summaries for reading
- English summaries for reading
- German sign language
You can install the app "A Crime Scene: Bergen-Belsen" on a smartphone or tablet. It is also available as an online version for use in a browser. (The web links can be found below). If you are unable to visit the exhibition venue, you can read or listen to a summary of the content online. The exhibition also includes loan devices with the app installed. An exhibition venue can offer these devices for loan. The number of loan devices is limited.
Contact for exhibitors
Would you like to show the exhibition in your organisation? Then please contact us:
Technical information
- Space requirement
-
At least 160m2 of floor space and a room height of at least 2.50 m are required.
- Scope
-
The exhibition consists of an intro and outro element and 7 chapters. These are organised as follows: 3 large pillars (Intro A, Intro B and Outro), 14 small pillars, 7 of which have a DGS screen (chapter texts), 14 tables, 1 media station with multi-touch display, LED lighting on all modules
- Transport volume
-
At least one 12-tonne lorry is needed for transport.
- Assembly/dismantling
-
- Duration of assembly: 2-3 days
- Duration of dismantling: 2-3 days
With regard to access, the exhibition space should be located on the ground floor if possible.
- Costs
-
As a rule, the borrower bears the costs for transport to the borrowing location as well as the costs for assembly and dismantling. A loan fee is not charged. The exhibition must be insured; the sum insured is 100,000 euros. Permanent supervision of the exhibition is not required. We will be happy to advise you on an estimate of possible costs.
