This year marks the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Since the atrocities committed under the Nazi regime are moving further away from us in time, Bergen-Belsen Memorial is in a continuous process of developing new ways for remembering, researching and teaching the history of Bergen-Belsen and encourage reflection about its significance for the present. This process is heavily influenced by the current political climate, as well as by the fact that memory and remembrance are becoming increasingly digital and transnational phenomena.
During this year’s Bergen-Belsen International Summer School, that will take place from 3-14 August 2019, we will focus on the concept of transnational memory and its influence on the way we remember and teach the Holocaust and other mass atrocities. Participants are expected to develop their own ideas and express themselves in different ways. Activities may include writing short texts, photo- and videography and social media.
We aim to gather young academics in their master- or PhD studies and/or young professionals at the beginning of their careers with an affinity for Holocaust- Genocide- and Memory Studies and (political) education. We encourage applications from people working in the creative industry.
Programme
We will start this year’s Summer School by getting to know Bergen-Belsen Memorial and its different departments and projects. Participants will be offered different guided tours of the exhibition(s) and former camp grounds. They will also have the possibility to gather some behind-the-scenes experience talking to the Memorial’s staff.
This will be complemented by a keynote lecture by Jenny Wüstenberg (Toronto), sessions on the concept of transnational memory and panel discussions on its impact concerning Holocaust remembrance in general and Bergen-Belsen more specifically in different countries. The programme also includes a day visit to Hamburg, where we will visit the Hannoverscher Bahnhof Memorial, which was inaugurated in 2017 and will be complemented by a documentation center in 2020.
Registration
The working language of the Bergen-Belsen International Summer School is English. The participants’ language skills must be sufficient to enable them to understand the preparatory texts, follow the lectures and tours and actively participate in the discussions. Participants must be 18 or older.
Accommodation will be in double rooms. The costs for the programme, accommodation and meals will be borne by the Bergen-Belsen Memorial. Participants are responsible for arranging their own arrival and departure as well as any necessary visas. We are still looking into ways to subsidise travel expenses.
Registration is possible via the online application form until May 10, 2019. You will find this form and additional information (e.g. preliminary programme) on our website.
Contact
Maximilian Vogel
Tessa Bouwman
bbiss2019@gmail.com