Children from forbidden and unwanted relationships in times of war

The conference addresses a largely overlooked chapter of World War II history: the children born from so-called "forbidden" and socially suppressed relationships between forced laborers, prisoners of war in the German Reich, German occupation soldiers, and local women or men. The persecution of these relationships by the Nazi authorities was characterized by state repression and violence as well as racist ideology – its consequences resonated far beyond 1945.

To coincide with the presentation of the traveling exhibition "Still There! – Children from Forbidden Relationships Between Germans and Prisoners of War or Forced Laborers," developed at the Sandbostel Camp Memorial and on display in Berlin until April 26, 2026, the conference brings historians, educators, descendants of those affected, and those involved in the culture of remembrance into an interdisciplinary dialogue.

The focus will be on historical contextualization, life experiences, and transgenerational perspectives. At the same time, the conference broadens the perspective on the post-war period and on comparative perspectives in Europe and beyond. Its aim is to highlight research gaps, critically reflect on the culture of remembrance, and provide impetus for new forms of historical and political education.


IN GERMAN

Registration deadline: March 15, 2026. Email: veranstaltung@ns-zwangsarbeit(at)topographie.de.