Nazi Forced Labor in Europe

The remembrance of the mass crime of Nazi forced labour has developed differently across Europe. In Austria, the focus is on coming to terms with the ‘victim narrative’ – which has long shaped public perception – and the shared responsibility of Austrian perpetrators. In Italy, there is still a struggle today over the recognition of occupation crimes, forced labour and inadequate compensation for former military internees.

In Poland, public remembrance is shaped by the enormous war losses as well as ongoing debates about reparations and historical justice.

The panel discussion brings these perspectives together in dialogue and explores the challenges facing European remembrance culture today.

Welcome:

Dr Christine Glauning, Director of the Documentation Centre for Nazi Forced Labour

Panel:

• Dr Sabine Schweitzer, historian specialising in Austria and curator of the exhibition ‘Forced to Work’
• Dr Carlo Gentile, historian specialising in Italy
• Dr Roland Borchers, historian specialising in Poland
• Moderator:
• Dr Julana Bredtmann, Memorial Sites Department of the Topography of Terror Foundation

An event organised as part of the exhibition “Forced to Work – Willing to Survive: Forced Labour in the Past and Present”