Mémoire | Exposition
Traveling exhibition #StolenMemory from the Arolsen archives
The Arelson Archives present a traveling exhibition about the last possessions of the victims of nazism, often former Prisoners of concentration camps, which they keep until they can return them to their families. In addition to memorial challenges, the exhibition aims to draw public attention so that the remaining 2,500 objects can be returned as soon as possible.
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The Archives Arolsen are an international center for collecting, preserving, and disseminating documents related to the victims of Nazi persecution, based in Germany. In addition to searching for traces of the victims, its teams respond to inquiries from families and proceed with restitutions, including objects whenever possible. In 2016, the centre has launched the operation #StolenMemory in order to find the descendants of the former camp detainees from whom they hold the belongings such as engagements rings, watches, wallets, photographs... To this day, over 700 families have been found.
The Arelson Archives have designed a traveling exhibition showcasing photos of stolen memories and explaining the fate of ten victims of Nazi persecution from across Europe. It consists of two sections: one titled #Found, which focuses on personal effects that have already been returned to family members and under what conditions. Visitors can obtain more information and hear family testimonies through scanned QR codes. The second section, #Sought, explores objects that are still awaiting restitution. The aim of the exhibition is to encourage each visitor to feel concerned by helping to find the traces of the victims and their family. More than 2 500 objects detained at the Arolsen Archives still need to be returned.
Even very ordinarty, these objects have, because of their story, a very strong emotional burden : " Many victims of the Nazis left no material trace for their families as the Nazis took everything from them" explains Floriane Azoulay, director of the Arolsen Archives. "Families are often very surprised to receive the objects, knowing little or nothing about this aspect of the lives of their grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts."
© Photo FMS - ID
Practical informations
Set up in a shipping container, the exhibition will be inaugurated at the Place du Panthéon in Paris on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 6 p.m. and will be visible until Wednesday, July 12, before touring several cities in France until the end of 2024: Compiègne, Mayenne, Blois, Joigny, and Sarreguemines
Three other exhibition containers from the Arolsen Archives are currently on tour in Germany and Poland.
This traveling exhibition has received the support of the Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah.
► En savoir plus : The website features animated short films and supplementary stories that recount the fate of each victim. It also offers extensive educational materials that can be downloaded for free and used by schools and other educational institutions wherever the traveling exhibition is presented.
Exhibition schedule for 2023
► Mayenne (53)
To be seen from Friday, September 1st to Thursday, September 27th, 2023.
Inauguration on Friday, September 1st at 6 p.m.
Esplanade François Mitterrand, 53100 Mayenne
► Blois (41)
To be seen from Friday, September 28th to wednesday, 18th october 2023
Jardins de l'Évêché
Exhibition freely accessible organized by the Center of Deportation, Resistance, and Memory
© Photo FMS - ID
Calendrier 2024 des expositions
►Terres-de-Haute-Charente (16)
À voir du jeudi 25 avril au mercredi 15 mai 2024
Parvis du marché couvert
Roumazières-Loubert
16 270 - Terres-de-Haute-Charente
Vernissage : dimanche 28 avril 2024, 17h
►Figeac (46)
À voir du jeudi 16 mai au mercredi 5 juin 2024
Place du 12 mai 1944
46102- Figeac
Vernissage : vendredi 17 mai 2024, 17h
►Cahors (46)
À voir du jeudi 06 au mercredi 19 juin 2024
Tous les jours de 9h à 18h30 et visites commentées : 12 juin, 15h et 17 juin, 15h
Musée de la Résistance
83 parking Bessières
46000 - Cahors
►Toulouse (31)
À voir du jeudi 20 juin au mercredi 10 juillet 2024
►Montpellier (34)
À voir du jeudi 11 juillet au mercredi 28 août 2024
►Bessan (34)
À voir du jeudi 29 août au mercredi 18 septembre 2024
►Vichy (03)
À voir du jeudi 10 au mercredi 30 octobre 2024
