The Representation of Nazi Perpetrators in Exhibitions in Germany: an Underexposed Part of Memory Policies

Abstract

This paper examines the representation of National Socialist perpetrators inmuseums and memorials in contemporary Germany. Over the past 20 years,there has been increased interest and discussion within Germany about therepresentation of National Socialist perpetrators in museums. But so far,there has been relatively little investigation into this new discourse. Thislack of reflection and analysis has various reasons, for example that researchinto perpetrators during the National Socialist period was only establishedas a segment of German history and historiography in the mid‑1990s.By exhibiting National Socialist perpetrators, there are certain aspects toreflect on, such as the fascination that crimes and violence provoke. Andexhibitions, like the Nazi Party Rally Grounds Documentation Centre inNuremberg and the Wewelsburg Memorial Site show perpetrators in a differentlight, take for example the variety of photographs that are used. Thepaper argues that increased reflection would be helpful, including for developingnew memory policies.