Commemoration of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp – Bundestag marks the 80th anniversary with an exhibition

Wed, January 22, 2025, 6:54 p.m. CET

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On January 29, 2025, a memorial service will be held in the German Bundestag to commemorate the victims of National Socialism .

As part of this event, the exhibition "Remembering the Liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp – A Warning for Democracy" be shown in the German Bundestag. In light of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the exhibition presents photographs of women, men, and children who were imprisoned in Auschwitz.

These images were created by the artist Monika Mendat based on original photographs from the archive of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum . The exhibition will open on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Paul Löbe Building and will be officially opened by the President of the Bundestag, Bärbel Bas, in the presence of pre-registered guests.

Show table of contents

The liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp

On January 27, 1945, the Red Army liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Nazis had attempted to cover up their crimes and forced thousands of prisoners on death marches. At that time, approximately 7,000 prisoners remained in the camp, including around 700 children. Many of the survivors were severely weakened and suffered from serious illnesses.

The exhibition and commemoration of Auschwitz aim to highlight the relevance of democracy and the threat posed by extremist ideologies. Among other things, it recalls the warnings of political scientist Karl Dietrich Bracher , who in 1976 pointed to the risks of new forms of extremism, as well as Bertolt Brecht's statementthat the "womb from which that crawled"still "fertile" .

The liberation of Auschwitz represented not only a decisive step towards the end of the Nazi regime, but also towards a democratic Europe and the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany.

What will be shown at the exhibition?

The exhibition, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, is dedicated to the decisive moment of liberation and the attitude towards remembrance towards the victims of National Socialism.

At the time of liberation, there were approximately 700 children in the camp, many of them under 15 years old. Most were underweight and suffered from diseases such as tuberculosis. — At the time of liberation, there were approximately 700 children in the camp, many of them under 15 years old. Most were underweight and suffered from illnesses such as tuberculosis.
© German Bundestag, Berlin / Monika Mendat

She presents acrylic paintings of women, men, and children at the moment of their liberation, as well as of those who did not survive the Holocaust. The exhibition serves as a reminder that millions of people were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis because of their origin, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or skin color.

Particular attention is paid to the portrayal of the victims, who are to be brought out of anonymity. Portrait images, inspired by original photographs from the archive of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, convey feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Abstract representations and the symbolism of the barbed wire, suggesting the camp fence, intensify these impressions. Twelve squares symbolize the dimensions of a standing cell (0.80 x 0.80 m) and serve as a reminder of the unimaginable cruelty. The floor of the standing cells depicts the fundamental values of democracy, which were trampled underfoot in the totalitarian Nazi regime.

About the artist Monika Mendat – Between space and time

In the late 1970s, a time marked by political unrest and social upheaval, young Monika Mendat experienced a childhood overshadowed by a traumatic event. At just three years old, her parents fled with her under difficult circumstances through the Iron Curtain from Poland to Sweden. This escape, which for many represents a quantum leap into a new world, was not the family's final destination. Instead, Germany, initially planned merely as a stopover, became their permanent home.

Monika was profoundly affected by her parents' decision to leave their homeland. The question of home became a central theme in her artistic work. But what does home actually mean in the modern world? Is it a geographical place where we feel at home, or is it more about emotional connections and personal stories? Her works make it clear that for Monika Mendat, home is far more than just a fixed point on a map; it is, rather, a dynamic process of interplay between past and future.

The abstract paintingshe practices becomes the medium for her thoughts and feelings. Instead of clearly defined landscapes or portraits, she uses colors and forms as a means of expressing memories and longings. In her paintings, she invites the viewer to embark on a journey with her – be it into an imaginary cosmos full of possibilities, into a jungle of emotional complexity, or into the infinite freedom of creativity.

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A post shared by Monika Mendat (@mendatmonika)

This raises the question: Can we even define home, or is it rather the result of our experiences and our connections to others? In a world of constant change and uncertainty, Monika Mendat shows through her art that we all search in our own way for a place where we feel safe and secure – no matter where that place may be.

Further information about the artist can be found here: stilbetrieb.de/portfolio/befreiung/

Current information and registration

The exhibition will be on display in the hall of the Paul-Löbe-Haus from January 29th to February 21st, 2025.

It can be visited from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Public guided tours are offered as follows:

Thursday, February 6, 3 p.m
Friday, February 7th, 10 a.m
Wednesday, February 12, 3 p.m
Thursday, February 13, 2 p.m
Wednesday, February 19, 3 p.m
Thursday, February 20, 2 p.m

To visit the exhibition, registration via the registration form at www.bundestag.de/parlamentarische_ausstellung required at least two working days before the desired date of visit.

Please note: When registering, you must provide your full first and last name, your date of birth, a telephone number where you can be reached, and the date and time of your desired appointment. Registration is possible on the hour.

The exhibition is accessible via the west entrance of the Paul-Löbe-Haus, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 1, 10557 Berlin. Please arrive
at the west entrance 15 minutes before your scheduled visit to allow sufficient time for entry control.

Current information about the exhibition and visiting options can be found at this link.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

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