Friday, March 31, 2023

A Visit To The National Holocaust Monument

 The National Holocaust Monument lies across the street from the Canadian Firefighters Memorial, dedicated in memory of the victims of the darkest chapter of the Second World War. Over the course of the winter, access is only possible from the west side. This view, from the east, includes the Canadian War Museum in the background.


I headed towards the west entrance. The monument is a collaboration- Daniel Libeskind designed the architecture with its harsh angles, entirely appropriate to the subject. Claude Cormier handled the landscaping architecture. Historian Doris Bergen, Gail Lord, and Dov Goldstein consulted. And photographer Edward Burtynsky contributed photographs etched onto the walls.


Inside, we see two of Burtynsky's works. He photographed places connected to the Holocaust as they appear in the current day. At left is Hiding Place, Warsaw Jewish Cemetery, Poland, depicting a trench beneath tombstones which became a hiding place during raids. At right is Prayer Room, Theresienstadt, Czech Republic.


A look west.


Here we have Track 17, Berlin, Germany, a place that was the starting point for many trains taking Jewish prisoners and others to the killing sites.


Abandoned Railbed, Treblinka, Poland shows how quickly nature reclaims. It was along this rail spur that nearly a million people were taken to the death camp.


A look east here. The staircase to the overlook is closed off for the winter.


Fence, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland is appropriately stark.


Late in the war, aware that they were running out of time to hide their crimes, the Nazis took prisoners out and forced them on what was effectively a death march away from those areas where they were losing ground. Site Of Death March, Near Mauthausen, Austria depicts a place as it looks today. In April 1945, 20 000 Jewish prisoners were marched along this road. Anyone who couldn't keep up were shot and left in the ditches.


A series of panels across from it tells the story of the Holocaust.


My last shot features where I came in, with the west entrance and the War Museum beyond.

44 comments:

  1. I have been to the National Holocaust Monument and found it important to take the entire family. But I either didn't know or forgot that Daniel Libeskind designed the architecture. His rough concrete and harsh angles suited perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's quite fitting. I dislike his addition to the ROM, but this is just right.

      Delete
  2. I am impressed with this monument especially the etched panels.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A landmark building. The architecture really works well here.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning architecture. This memorial is a due tribute too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The design is special. Architecture is superb.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting design and monument. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A beautiful piece of art to remember those lost in such darkness. The photos are very moving.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is another beautiful and impressive monument.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I want to visit this memorial. We visited one in Vienna which was heartbreaking but an essential reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ...the building is a graphic reminder of dark time. Never forget.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have almost a visceral reaction to this building -- it strikes me as perfect for the Holocaust Museum -- beautifully designed and purposefully jarring. We must never, ever forget this (although it appears too much of the world is -- and too quickly.)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That 1st shot is wonderful and really sets the tone for the whole place. A super collaboration that tells the story well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such sad memories but marvelous tribute in stone ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I fail to understand so many things. Like this.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The holocaust was a very sickening event and still is. This memorial certainly makes people think about the horror.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's very important that we remember this period in human history. The uncomfortable angles of the memorial feel just right.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Un monumento bastante moderno, que nos muestra buenas geometrías.
    Feliz fin de semana.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A beautifully designed memorial.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Everyone should visit this place, wish we had one here, I have Jewish ancestry so this would be interesting for me.

    ReplyDelete