Submitted by Pawel Sawicki, Jan 11, 2007 14:32

Thank you very much for this interesting article. I am a historian and journalist co-operating a lot with the museum in Oswiecim and I think that the discussion about some changes is really a need now. The old exhibion has its advantages and disadvantages, but it must be discussed how to find the right balance between modern ways of buidling a museum (vide: Yad Vashem) and saving the historical place. Its hard to imagine myself Block 11 in Auschwitz full of screens telling storries. Everything behind the wire is somehow sacred and finding solution good for all groups is really a difficult task that stands before new director. We are now waiting for solutions. Its very good that there is interest, but it also needs a lot of money - both to preserve and to restore. There is also point of education - new educational center is being prepared in Oswiecim right now and I think that it does not get enough attention in the world yet. Hopefully it will change in the future.

It think it is yet to early for the question - rebuild the crematorias in Birkenau or not, but there will be the time, when we will have to face this problem. For young people Auschwitz becomes more and more historical place, like I World War - something they read in books, but what is not really important. Luckily there are still survivors that can tell the stories, but the time is coming, where there will be no survivors ready to tell their story and video is not enough. So would young people be able to imagine the gas chamber in 50 years time? That is hard to tell, but we must get ready to ask that question.

Yet I must say that I will miss some of the old exhibition, as it enables people, when thy are not in crowds of tourist, to somehow get deeper into the historical place and feel it just by yourself.

Thank you once again for the article.
Pawel Sawicki
Polish Radio
Projekt "Europe according to Auschwtiz"

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