UPDATE: Germany has just canceled a highly controversial auction of Holocaust artifacts following intense backlash from Holocaust survivors and international officials. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed the decision on Sunday, July 15, 2023, after discussions with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the urgency of the matter.
The auction, set to take place at the Felzmann auction house in Neuss, near Düsseldorf, was slated for Monday and featured over 600 lots including personal letters from concentration camp prisoners and Gestapo index cards. These artifacts, many of which contained identifiable names, sparked outrage among survivors who deemed the auction as a “cynical and shameless undertaking.”
In a statement, Sikorski expressed gratitude towards Wadephul, stating, “We agreed that such a scandal must be prevented.” This sentiment was echoed by Christoph Heubner, executive vice president of the International Auschwitz Committee, who condemned the auction and stressed that artifacts related to the Holocaust should be preserved as historical legacies, not commodified for profit.
Earlier today, a survivor group urged Felzmann to cancel the auction, calling the sale an exploitation of tragic histories. By mid-afternoon, the auction listing was removed from the Felzmann website, indicating the urgency of the situation.
Heubner emphasized, “Their history and the suffering of all those persecuted and murdered by the Nazis is being exploited for commercial gain.” He called for the auction house to act with “basic decency” and return the items to the families or display them in museums.
As news of the cancellation spreads, many are left reflecting on the moral implications of commodifying such sensitive artifacts. The situation highlights ongoing struggles to preserve Holocaust memories while ensuring respect for those affected.
Authorities will continue to monitor the fallout from this decision and its implications for the preservation of Holocaust history. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
