UPDATE: In a swift response to public outcry, Germany has canceled the auction of Holocaust artifacts scheduled for tomorrow, following significant backlash from Holocaust survivors and international officials. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed the cancellation, stating that he and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul agreed that this “offensive” auction must be halted.
The auction, organized by the Felzmann auction house in Neuss, Germany, was set to feature over 600 lots of distressing historical documents, including letters from concentration camp prisoners and Gestapo records. A listing for the auction was removed from the auction house’s website earlier today, just hours after complaints intensified.
Sikorski took to social media platform X to express gratitude towards Wadephul for the decision, emphasizing the importance of preventing such a scandal. “This auction is a cynical and shameless undertaking that leaves victims of Nazi persecution outraged,” remarked Christoph Heubner, executive vice president of the International Auschwitz Committee. He highlighted the deep emotional impact this auction had on survivors, asserting that the artifacts should be regarded with dignity, not as commodities.
The auction was set to take place on July 10, 2023, and included items that bore the names and identities of many Holocaust victims. Heubner condemned the effort, stating that such documents “belong to the families of the victims” and should be preserved in museums or memorial exhibitions rather than sold for profit.
In light of this decision, attention now turns to the future of these artifacts. Stakeholders are calling for their preservation and appropriate exhibition, stressing the need for respect and recognition of the history they represent. The impact of this cancellation resonates deeply within the Jewish community and among those dedicated to Holocaust remembrance.
As developments continue, further reactions from the Felzmann auction house and international officials are anticipated. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the sensitivity surrounding Holocaust history and the need for respectful dialogue regarding its legacy.
