Expanding Remembrance – who do we remember?

CODE: DE-SCI 1.26

Date: 09 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

Age: 18 – 26

Introduction: During the 2nd World War, the Neuengamme concentration camp, with over 85 satellite camps, became the central concentration camp in Northwest Germany. As a re-sult of the “extermination through labor” principle pursued by the SS, almost half of the app. 100,000 prisoners who had been deported from all German-occupied countries in Europe died.

Today, the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial is a place of remembrance, education and research. It is also the result of political disputes from the post-war period to the present day. For decades, there were two prisons on the site, meaning that the majority of the former concentration camp grounds were not accessible to the public. The first work camp in 1982 laid out paths and put up the first information boards.

The practical work of the participants builds on the work of previous workcamps and supports the work of the memorial through light physical work such as cleaning information boards and memorials or gardening work on the site.

The participants are temporarily housed in a building that is to be converted into a seminar house in the long term. It has already been furnished by previous work camps, but work is also continuing on making the building more comfortable for groups.

The participants document their experiences on the memorial's social media channels and in their own articles in the local newspaper.

Study part: On May 4, 2025, a new memorial sign will be inaugurated in the immediate vicinity of the International Memorial at the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial. For this, research was carried out into the countries in which the birthplaces of the concentration camp prisoners are located today. In total, the names of 73 countries can be found there. The new country memorial sign now also highlights the global, colonial and migration-historical dimension of the history of the Neuengamme concentration camp.

Together, the participants go in search of biographies of prisoners who came from countries that have not yet been dealt with intensively at the memorial.

Each work camp begins with a detailed introduction into the history of the Neuengamme concentration camp.

In addition, various experts from the field of culture of remembrance are invited for discussions as well as members of the so-called 2nd generation, children of former prisoners and perpetrators.

Accommodation and meals: The accommodation is located on the grounds of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial. Participants will be accommodated in shared rooms in a historic concentration camp building.

Participants will cook and eat in the building. When guests are invited, the participants sometimes move into large tents.

Notes on the camp language: The common language will be English, i.e. at least a good knowledge of English or German is a prerequisite for participation.

Location and surroundings: The Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial is located on the outskirts of Hamburg. The city center can be reached within an hour by public transport. Excursions to Hamburg are possible. Hamburg has 1.8 million inhabitants and the largest port in Germany. The city offers more than 60 theaters, 100 clubs and over 60 museums. The North Sea and Baltic Sea are approx. 100-150 km away.

Requirements/ Qualifications: At least a good knowledge of English. Interest in the history of National Socialism and initiative.

Nearest train station/ airport: Neuengamme is a suburb of Hamburg and 30 km away from the city center. The nearest airport is in Hamburg, there are several bus and train connections to Hamburg. From Hamburg main station it takes about 25 minutes by S-Bahn to Hamburg-Bergedorf and from there buses run to the memorial every 30 minutes during the day.