The conference "Fragmented ‘Evolutions’? Shifts in the Memory of the Holocaust in the Baltic Sea Region 1989-2023," held at the University of Greifswald from June 6 to 8, 2024, offered a profound multidisciplinary exploration of the changing memory of the Holocaust. This important event brought together scholars, museum workers and educators from diverse disciplines to discuss how socio-political changes, as well as shifts in education, media, research, cinema, art, and museum exhibitions in the Baltic Sea region, have influenced Holocaust remembrance over the last three decades.

The memory of the Holocaust is a critical area of study, especially in the Baltic Sea region, where it played a dramatic role and still influences present-day identity and socio-political discourse on collective remembrance. The conference aimed to trace and analyze the fragmented and interdisciplinary nature of Holocaust memory over the last three decades, exploring how different narratives and commemorations have evolved across various countries and disciplines and bringing them together. It addressed the dynamic shifts in Holocaust memory influenced by socio-political and generational changes, educational practices, the development of gender studies, and the advent of new media and technology. The interdisciplinary character of the conference, which hosted researchers of history, media, art, visual, social, and gender studies, educators and museum workers, allowed for tracing the major changes in the Holocaust memory shift in various fields, creating a regional mosaic of changes and reflected on these transformations have reshaped collective narratives over the last three decades.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Baltic Sea nations have experienced rapid socio-political change, leading to varying, sometimes conflicting, interpretations of historical events, including the Holocaust. This conference sought to provide a mosaic of insights by examining Holocaust memory across different disciplines and institutions, drawing on regional specifics to build a broader, multidisciplinary perspective. Such an approach helps avoid generalizations, acknowledging the nuanced and developing nature of collective and personal Holocaust memory across the Baltic Sea region.

The conference was structured around four main thematic panels, each focusing on different aspects of Holocaust memory: in the Baltic Sea region, education, art and media and gender. Each panel featured experts who provided deep insights into their specific areas of study, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the shifts in Holocaust memory.

Panel 1 “The Holocaust Memory in the Baltic Sea Region” set the stage for the conference by examining regional memory dynamics and examined the diverse ways the Baltic Sea region commemorated and commemorates the Holocaust, underscoring the distinct trajectories in Holocaust memory between countries. KATHERINE HAUPTMAN (Stockholm) discussed the ethical considerations and discourses surrounding the establishment of a new Holocaust museum in Sweden during the 2020s, its current concept and exhibitions and its future development plans. She related to the complexities and challenges of establishing such a museum and to its regional and historical uniqueness. MARGARET COMER (London) explored in a comparative way how memorial museums in Estonia and Latvia navigate narratives of collaboration, perpetration, and victimhood. She noted how museums in Estonia and Latvia face unique challenges in portraying various sensitive aspects of local history during the World War II and during the Soviet time. Comer’s insights underscored the importance of transparency in historical narratives. DIANA POPOVA (Riga) introduced a new technological dimension to Holocaust memory with her study on virtual reality experiences by focusing on the engagement of youth with Holocaust memory through virtual reality at the Žanis Lipke Memorial in Riga and the specifics of this memorial. Popova demonstrated how virtual reality can engage young audiences in historical events, fostering an emotional connection to the memory of the Holocaust. This panel highlighted the varied approaches to Holocaust remembrance history and dynamics across the Baltic region, emphasizing the role of museums and memorials in shaping public memory and how they can serve as a tool to bridge generational divides in Holocaust remembrance, with caution regarding the potential for new technologies to oversimplify or distort history.

Education plays a key role in preserving and transmitting Holocaust memory, a theme thoroughly examined in the second panel “Memory of the Holocaust in Education”. ANNA STANCZYK (Oświęcim) traced the evolution of Holocaust education at Auschwitz-Birkenau, highlighting significant changes over the years and the current activities and projects of the memorial. She emphasized the importance of adapting educational content to new generations who lack direct connections to the Holocaust in the recent years. Stanczyk’s presentation highlighted how the Auschwitz Museum has developed programs that incorporate new resources to foster engagement among various groups of visitors. MOSHE ZIMMERMANN (Jerusalem) provided a comparative analysis of Holocaust education in Israel and Germany, noting the differing approaches and their implications. He related to the history of the Holocaust education and to the current shifts in the education paradigms within the postcolonial discourse which influenced the education system in Europe in general and in Germany in particular. Zimmermann’s talk illuminated the sensitivities and historical complexities that educators navigate when teaching about the Holocaust, with particular focus on reconciling national identity with historical accountability. LILY ZAMIR (Givat Haviva) addressed the actual challenge of maintaining Holocaust memory and education in a world without survivors, bringing examples within historical perspective. With fewer living witnesses to recount their experiences, educators must rely on recorded testimonies and multimedia representations, which alter the directness of survivor accounts. Zamir’s talk prompted a discussion on the ethical responsibility of preserving the memory and the integrity of testimonies for future generations, exploring ways to maintain authenticity in a digital age. This panel underscored the challenges and innovations in Holocaust education, especially in the context of generational changes as well as difference within the context of the memory of the Holocaust in the Israeli education system versus European system of education.

Panel 3 “The Memory of the Holocaust in Art and Media” brought to light the influential role of art and media in shaping Holocaust memory, especially as society becomes increasingly visual and digital. BATYA BRUTIN (Givat Haviva) examined the transformations of Holocaust commemoration in Poland through monuments and within historical perspective, reflecting broader socio-political changes within Poland. Brutin’s talk offered insights into the layers of meaning inserted within public monuments, which often serve as physical manifestations of collective memory and ideologies. ANNA NOVIKOV (Greifswald) presented an analysis of the dynamics of Holocaust memory in Polish cinema from 1947 to 2021 through images and clothes, exploring how films have depicted Holocaust narratives and shaped collective memory over time. She highlighted significant shifts in representation, within the cultural and political context of Poland noting how early post-war films often adhered to state-approved narratives, while more recent films offer nuanced perspectives that challenge audiences to confront uncomfortable aspects of history. This talk demonstrated how cinema not only reflects societal views but can also serve as a catalyst for public discourse. KATJA S. BAUMGÄRTNER (Berlin) discussed Holocaust memory in social media through a gendered lens, noting how platforms like Instagram and Twitter can influence public perceptions. Baumgärtner’s analysis raised questions about the ethics of using Holocaust memory in digital spaces, where the intent behind posts can range from genuine education to performative remembrance. The further discussions focused on the need for responsible curation and moderation on social media platforms when engaging with sensitive historical content. This panel’s discussions highlighted the power of visual and digital media in shaping historical and contemporary understandings of the Holocaust in the second part of the 20th-first quarter of the 21st centuries.

The final panel “Gender and the Memory of the Holocaust” focused on gendered dimensions of Holocaust memory, a relatively recent but critical and crucial area of study. LISA PINE (London) presented research on gendered memories of experiences at Auschwitz, revealing how women’s and men’s narratives on experiences there have emerged and differed. ADELE VALERIA MESSINA (Rome) explored the role of Jewish women in preserving Holocaust memory. Using seven key terms, Messina outlined how Jewish women have contributed to Holocaust remembrance through both personal and public acts of commemoration. Her presentation highlighted the resilience of women in preserving memory and underscored how gender shapes the transmission of cultural memory. DRAGANA STOJANOVIĆ (Belgrade) examined the role of women's Holocaust legacies in transgenerational witnessing. She discussed how memory transmission within families often centers on narratives, creating unique forms of remembrance. Stojanović’s research underscored the importance of viewing Holocaust memory through a gendered lens to recognize how women’s stories contribute to transgenerational memory. This panel brought to light the critical importance of gender analysis and gender studies in understanding and commemorating the Holocaust to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of survivor experiences.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the concept of various types of fragmentation in Holocaust memory. This approach to memory, which recognizes the diversity of narratives across countries, disciplines, and generations, was evident in all panels. Fragmentation allows historians, educators, and curators to create a mosaic of memories that collectively offer a more nuanced understanding of the Holocaust. The conference highlighted the importance of acknowledging and respecting these individual stories, which resist homogenization or generalization and reflect the complexity of Holocaust memory.

Another major theme was the impact of new media and technology on Holocaust remembrance. From virtual reality in memorials to social media’s role in disseminating gendered narratives, the conference illustrated both the potential and challenges of digital tools in historical preservation. Discussions underscored the importance of ethical considerations when using technology to convey Holocaust memory, ensuring that digital representations remain respectful and accurate.

Finally, the emphasis on gender and memory provided a fresh perspective on Holocaust studies. By exploring gendered experiences, the participants contributed to a deeper understanding of how memory is shaped by identity and experience. Gender studies in Holocaust memory underscore the need for inclusive narratives that reflect the diverse experiences of all survivors.

Conference Overview

Opening: Greetings and IFZO presentation

Panel 1: The Holocaust Memory in the Baltic Sea Region

Katherine Hauptman (Stockholm): Dynamics of Holocaust Memory in Sweden. Remembrance ethics and discourse when building a new museum in the 2020s

Margaret Comer (London): Portraying Holocaust Perpetration Collaboration and Victimhood in Memorial Museums

Diana Popva (Riga): Immersive Learning: Youth Engagement with Virtual Reality at the Žanis Lipke Memorial in Riga

Panel 2: Memory of the Holocaust in Education

Anna Stanczyk (Oswiecim): The history and changes in the Holocaust education in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum

Moshe Zimmermann (Jerusalem): The changes in the Holocaust education in Israel and Germany (online presentation)

Lily Zamir (Givat Haviva): Memory without survivors

Panel 3: The Memory of the Holocaust in Art and Media

Batya Brutin (Givat Haviva): Transformation in Holocaust commemoration in Poland over the years through monuments

Anna Novikov (Greifswald): Dynamics of memory in the Polish Holocaust movies

Katja S. Baumgärtner (Berlin): Remembering the Shoah/the Holocaust in social media from a gender perspective

Panel 4: Gender and the Memory of the Holocaust

Lisa Pine (London): Auschwitz and Gendered Memories

Adele Valeria Messina (Rome): What did Jewish Women do? 7 Key-Terms to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive

Dragana Stojanovic (Belgrade): Re-gendering the Holocaust heritage: the role of women’s Holocaust legacies in transgenerational processes of witnessing