Yesterday was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A few days back I went out to Lebreton Flats, where the National Holocaust Monument stands near the War Museum. Opened in 2017, it is a collaborative effort between architect Daniel Libeskind, historian Doris Bergen, landscape architect Claude Cormier, and photographer Edward Burtynsky. Its jagged, harsh angles fit the subject matter well. As it is an open air monument, during the winter, two of the three access points are not winter maintained. Paths within are maintained, however, for the winter visitor.
Inside, a series of panels tells the story of the Holocaust, the darkest chapter of World War Two.
Burtynsky has several of his photographs of Holocaust sites, taken in the current day, etched onto the walls.
This one is Site Of Death March, depicting a country road in Austria where death camp prisoners were marched out near the end of the war by their captors.
Track 17 is at left, showing a freight yard track in Berlin where Jews and other persecuted people were loaded onto the trains. At right is Fence, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Abandoned Railbed gives a current day view of the old railbed near Treblinka, as nature slowly reclaims it.
At left here is Hiding Place. A Jewish cemetery outside Warsaw became a place of refuge for Jews. At right is Prayer Room, a place of sanctuary in Therensienstadt, now part of the Czech Republic. Created in the conditions of the ghetto during the occupation, this place of prayer and devotion was preserved.
Two more views of the monument. I've visited here on a number of occasions, and it is always haunting.
...William, a post to mark this important day in history. The architect created a stark building to represent that horrible time in history, NEVER AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteThe architecture sure makes one feel very, very unwell.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet... over here Muslims go agains Jewish people. It´s a sad, at times sick world.
So sad š
ReplyDeleteNever again!
Para que ninguƩm se esqueƧa.
ReplyDeleteUm abraƧo e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
I shudder to think of the horrible things people are capable of doing to each other.
ReplyDeleteHello, this was such a sad and horrible time in history. The museum is fitting for the exhibit.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day, wishing you a good week ahead.
I didn't realize we have a Holocaust monument in Ottawa. This will be a must visit next time I am in Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive monument to commemorate the holocaust, the most horrible period of mankind.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that it was open like this. Perhaps it is fitting.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a site. I had to turn off the TV news yesterday. I just couldn't bear the grief. CTV and CBC were broadcasting the tribute. I just can't deal with it right now.
ReplyDeleteMy husband's father helped liberate a death camp back in the day. I never met him, he died before I was born, and I am wife #3!
Thank you for sharing this monument. It is definitely haunting. I sincerely hope that this will never happen again. :-(
ReplyDeleteThis building is striking and very emotionally appropriate, I think. It certainly looks forbidding (as it should) in the cold snow. I love the etchings on the exterior. Really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's simple and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe stark snow surrounding it add to the strength of the piece.
ReplyDeleteA very, very impressive monument. Very thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteExcellent last photo where the cement walls emphasize the closure of the fence.
ReplyDelete@Tom: it was very well designed.
ReplyDelete@Iris: in this case, unwell is appropriate.
@Ella: indeed.
@Francisco: thank you.
@Revrunner: man's inhumanity to man.
@Eileen: thank you.
@David: you should.
@Jan: that it is.
@Anvilcloud: I think so. I think it's particularly dramatic at night, which is how I first saw it.
@Jennifer: it felt appropriate for the occasion.
@DJan: you're welcome.
@Jeanie: they work well.
@Klara: that it is.
@RedPat: I think so.
@Sharon: definitely.
@Red: thank you.
Very sad, but as so many say, "We must remember, lest we forget and allow this to happen ever again." So many fools deny the realities of this suffering. We do not need to dwell on it, but acknowledge the inhumanity of it. I know some people who are trying to find forgiveness for the brutality...but not me, not yet.
ReplyDeleteVery important monument. This was a really dark chapter of the war.
ReplyDeleteThe memorial is a beautiful tribute for such a sad time in history ♥️
ReplyDeleteimpressive monument.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive monument.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I follow the Auschwitz Memorial site on Twitter. It is important to remember!
ReplyDeleteA perfect place to visit for the anniversary. Winter frames it well.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that the Holocaust is becoming another thing for extremists to deny. But then I never would have imagined we'd have an autocrat as president of the U.S., either.
Very impressive and sad memorial. Just the place to see especially on the anniversity.
ReplyDeleteparsnip
Looks extra grim with the snow. The human suffering needs to be remembered and this museum takes your breath away.
ReplyDeleteOutdoors momnument, the design is soul searching real
ReplyDelete@Barbara: that is true.
ReplyDelete@Tamago: very much so.
@Tanya: definitely.
@Klara: that it is.
@Jan: thank you.
@Marie: it is.
@Kay: the deniers dismay me.
@Parsnip: thank you.
@Eve: that's true.
@Maywyn: it is.
So big, so difficult.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteHaunting indeed! It really is the most wonderful tribute to such a horrific time in world history, beautifully shown here William.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThoughful and moving photos. The harshness and bleakness of the building and its unsettling angular lines are just right for reflection on those awful timess:)
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteA sad reminder. Hope it will never happen again.
ReplyDeleteI hope not.
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