nevertheless here! at the Breitenau Memorial: memory that gets under your skin

An exhibition that makes repressed life stories visible

With nevertheless here!, the Breitenau Memorial in Guxhagen presents a compelling traveling exhibition about children from forbidden relationships between Germans and prisoners of war or forced laborers during the Nazi period. The exhibition combines historical research, personal memories, and documents into a multi-layered artistic experience of memory culture.

Hidden biographies in focus

The exhibition addresses a long-tabooed chapter of contemporary history. More than 20 witnesses have contributed memories, photos, and documents to the project's inception. This creates a broader perspective on the work: it is not painting or sculpture that is central, but archival material, life testimonies, and curatorial condensation as a form of historical representation.

Breitenau as a historical site

The presentation gains particular resonance in Breitenau. The historical site recalls the concentration camp and the work education camp Breitenau, thus highlighting the violence and disciplinary mechanisms of National Socialism. The exhibition atmosphere combines objective documentation with the quiet intensity of the place. Here, the exhibition unfolds its educational power.

Guided tours, lectures, and walks

Alongside the exhibition, a versatile program will take place. This includes the exhibition opening with a lecture, public tours, and thematic neighborhood walks addressing forced labor during the Nazi period in Kassel. The offerings strengthen cultural education and provide a nuanced approach to persecution, exclusion, and remembrance.

A contribution to memory culture

The cooperative project by the Breitenau Memorial and the Historical Site Adlerwerke demonstrates how research, educational work, and exhibition practice interlock. The exhibition not only makes historical connections visible but also honors the voices of those people whose family stories have long been overlooked. In its quiet intensity, it is an important contribution to conveying history and the present.

Conclusion: Those who visit nevertheless here! experience an exhibition of great historical depth and human closeness. The presentation touches, enlightens, and invites visitors to comprehend remembrance as a responsibility. A visit to the Breitenau Memorial is definitely worthwhile.

Official channels of Breitenau Memorial:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gedenkstaettebreitenau
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breitenauerinnern
• YouTube: No official profile found
• Website: https://gedenkstaette-breitenau.de/

Sources:

• Breitenau Memorial – Official Website
• Breitenau Memorial – Visit, Opening Hours, Admission
• Breitenau Memorial – Events related to the exhibition
• Hessian State Center for Political Education – Breitenau Memorial
• Kassel Culture – Current Special Exhibitions
• HNA – Report on the exhibition