As part of the orientation seminar, we had group discussions with the group we were allocated with, in which we began to prepare for our visit to Auschwitz. One of the first things we did was to discuss the ideas we wrote down on the 'my expectations cards', which revealed that many in our group believed Auschwitz would be daunting, overwhelming and eerie.
During our discussions, we looked at various sources of information, and one of the profound resources was a screenshot from a stag and hen do website advertising a trip to Auschwitz. When I first read this, I was astounded that a place of such horror and significance would be chosen as a place to visit on a stag/hen do. The typical thoughts that come to mind when thinking of stag and hen dos is drinking alcohol, clubbing and bar crawls, contrasting heavily to Auschwitz. The phrases used on the advert almost seemed disrespectful to some extent, using phrases such as "tick the culture box" and "it blows your mind". This creates the perception that stag and hen dos are somewhat inappropriate to Auschwitz, and should not happen at all.
After discussing this issue, we came to the realisation that whilst it may seem inappropriate at first, you have to acknowledge that not all stag and hen dos are exactly like the stereotypical perceptions that come to mind. Therefore, the people that would be visiting as part of this would be respectful, and it would not have any affect on Auschwitz itself. The advertisement did change in tone, and became much more serious, stating that "clearly it is not for everyone" and "we recommend that you seriously consider if this is something which will be suitable for you and your group." Furthermore, we have to realise that you cannot be discriminating towards the people who can and cannot visit Auschwitz, particularly due to the events which occurred there. Consequently, stag and hen dos should be able to visit Auschwitz if they want to, therefore, there is no right or wrong way to visit Auschwitz.
One of the other topics discussed was the definition of the Holocaust itself, leading to us studying three different definitions about the Holocaust and finding the definition which we felt most suitable. One element which ran through all of the definitions was the figures of deaths during the Holocaust, commonly referring to the 6 million Jews which were murdered, demonstrating the incomprehensible scale of murder. Each definition was similar, however, with each time it is read, it is still difficult to begin to understand and comprehend the scale of the Holocaust, and how it was possible for this horrific event to occur. The three definitions have been posted below, and it would be interesting to hear which definition you believe is most suitable.
"Under the cover of the Second World War, for the sake of their "new order" the Nazis sought to destroy all the Jews of Europe. For the first time in history, industrial methods were used for the mass extermination of a whole people. Six million were murdered, including 1,500,000 children. This event is called the Holocaust.
The Nazis enslaved and murdered millions of others as well. Gypsies, people with physical and mental disabilities, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, trade unionists, political opponents, prisoners of conscience, homosexuals, and others were killed in vast numbers."
-Imperial War Museum, London, UK
"The Holocaust was the murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. Between the German invasion of the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941 and the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, Nazi Germany and its accomplices strove to murder every Jew under their domination. Because Nazi discrimination against the Jews began with Hitler's ascension to power in January 1933, many historians consider this the start of the Holocaust era. The Jews were not the only victims of Hitler's regime, but they were the only group that the Nazis sought to destroy entirely. "
-Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel.
"The Holocaust refers to a specific genocidal in twentieth century history: the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945. Jews were primary victims-6 million were murdered; Gypsies, the handicapped, and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or national reasons, Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents, also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny."
-United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C, USA
Heather and Anna
