The Auschwitz Institute wants to establish its national headquarters in Toledo

The city of Toledo houses these days a photographic exposure that emotionally connects with the meaning of one of the most terrifying concentration and extermination fields of the Nazi regime. ‘Nazi German death Kl Auschwitz’ is the title of the official sample designed by the educational department of the Auschwitz-Birkenau state museum, with which the Provincial Council of Toledo commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the field.

He San Clemente Cultural Center It hosts until February 21 29 panels with photographs, texts and illustrations made by prisoners, whose objective is to publicize the horror lived in Auschwitz. The exhibition allows “a demonstration of respect and dignity for the victims of Nazism», According to the provincial deputy of Culture and Education, Tomás Arribas.

Eduardo de Ocampodirector of the Department of Education of the Auschwitz Institute and commissioner of the exhibition, explains that «the exhibition not only intends to show the history of Auschwitz, but also generate a deep reflection on human values ​​and the fragility of dignity In contexts of violence and oppression »in addition to the exhibition, they are being maintained Conversations with different institutions to establish in Toledo the national headquarters of the National Institute Auschwitz Birkenau Spainchaired by Álvaro Enrique de Villamor y Soralucewho, in statements to ABC, highlights the crucial role of this initiative in historical memory, human rights, Education in Democratic Culture and Training in Critical Thought.

This project seeks create an interpretation center of the totalitarianism of the twentieth centurywith exhibitions, congresses and educational activities that invite reflection on democratic values ​​and fundamental rights. It’s about The ideal city -In addition to the many attractions that Toledo already offers- To create an interpretation center of the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. «The National Institute Auschwitz and its Chair of Human Rights and Democratic Culture, they face us to speak and reflect on everything related to human rights, inside and outside Auschwitz’s walls; on the five continents and from the 16th century to the present day, ”he says. The idea is to make a “Objective” route through totalitarianism and have sections around which temporary exhibitions, congresses, publications and conferences are organized, says De Ocampo.

Educational expeditions for European scenarios

Perhaps the most interesting part of the work carried out by the Auschwitz Institute in Spain is the one that is focused on young people. Many of them are unaware of what really happened in Europe under the designs of characters like Adolfo Hitler And how they were mistreated, plundered, tortured and killed millions of people under their scientific anti -Semitism regime, scientific racism and horrible practices of eugenics.

Ocampo says that “it is essential that the new generations understand the impact of the Nazi regime, not from a distant perspective, but through direct contact with memory places. Auschwitz is not only a holocaust symbol, but a space where hate dynamics, dehumanization, evidence of crime and resistance can be studied ».

From an academic perspective, Álvaro Enrique de Villamor and Soraluce, representative of the memorial in Spain and the Iberian Peninsula, president of the Auschwitz Birkenau Institute, co -director of the Chair of human rights and democratic culture Inabe-Uubu and director of the university courses in format of experiential experiences in places of memory, says: «I would like to highlight two fundamental pillars that give life and depth to this initiative. On the one hand, the recovery of the training and educational sense of study trips, which challenges us to reflect, to question and learn with humility. On the other hand, The restitution of the dignity of the Memori placesA, which are much more than historical scenarios. Are spaces of respect, shared pain and deep learning that we must protect and value, differentiating them from tourist destinations ».

Thanks to this initiative, More than 7,500 young Spaniards have visited Auschwitz and other places of memoryliving a transformative experience. They have learned, have moved and reflected. It is the lesson that the story gives, with which you learn to know what happened, but that goes beyond, that form in values ​​and critical awareness. “That is the true spirit of Auschwitz.”

According to Villamor, «Before arriving at Auschwitz, young people must be emotionally and intellectually prepared. A misunderstood place can become a simple shocking visit, but without depth. It is our duty to ensure that This experience serves to develop critical awareness and reflection», Timely, guarantee that these places are treated with adequate respect and preparation is an commitment to the educational and historical community. The Chair of Human Rights and Democratic Culture represents this necessary preparation, generating spaces for reflection and learning that are essential for memory and justice.

In December 2024 an exhibition was set up in the Secondary Education Institute ‘María Pacheco’ by Toledo Under the title of ‘Warsaw en llamas, 80 anniversary’, on the uprising of the population of the Polish capital against the occupation of Nazi Germany. It happened between August 1 and October 2, 1944. planned to last from 3 to 5 days. The lifting was expanding 63 days. The response of students and teachers has been shocking. «The students, 13 and 14, are very motivated. They create impressive drawings and paintings. Teachers have committed a lot. We are thinking that when the exhibition is disassembled in San Clemente we have to look for some way and space for a sample with the drawings of the boys, because they are spectacular jobs, ”says Ocampo.

Auschwitz is more than a dark chapter of the pastIt is a tool for education in universal values. According to Villamor and Soraluce, «Auschwitz in itself is a melting pot of values ​​and antivalores: there all aspects of the human condition were lived and suffered, from the most cruel dehumanization to acts of an extreme humanity, such as that of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who offered his life to save another prisoner ».

In this sense, Eduardo de Ocampo rescues a reflection from Eusebio Leal that synthesizes the importance of these educational trips: “Touch stones and dust files.” History gives us keys because human responses to different stimuli have been essentially the same over the centuries. All procedures and responses have something in common ».

Fight misinformation

From Poland’s perspective, this initiative is an act of historical justice. Villamor and Soraluce emphasizes: «The concentration and extermination fields, built by Nazi Germany of the third Reich in occupied Poles territories, represent the horror taken to its maximum extreme. Recognizing this historical truth is essential to honor the memory of the victims and for combat the misinformation that still persists».

As he said Primo Levisurvivor of the holocaust: “It happened, therefore, it can happen again.” Beyond historical memory, Auschwitz becomes a living warning and a critical learning space, where human values ​​and dignity must prevail over oblivion and indifference.

Villamor concludes that the key is to connect the memory with the present. «It is not enough to remember, you have to learn from what happened and apply it to the challenges of our time. Auschwitz forces us to question our societies and our own responsibilities as citizens, it is Learn from the past, remembering, to build a more human future».

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