Himmler's great-niece speaks in Paderborn: We must remember!

Himmler's great-niece speaks in Paderborn: We must remember!

There was a moving moment in Paderborn recently when the great-niece of Heinrich Himmler, one of the Third Reich's most notorious figures, spoke about her relatives. She referred to Himmler as her great-uncle and uses her platform to actively advocate for democracy. She took a critical look at the culture of remembrance in Germany, which, in her opinion, needs to be revised in many aspects in order to enable an honest examination of the past. Loud lz.de She does not want to glorify or deny the memory of the atrocities committed under the rule of her relatives, but rather to contribute to enlightenment.

This commitment to democracy and a critical examination of one's own history stands in contrast to a dark legacy that is closely linked to Wewelsburg. Himmler planned this castle as a central meeting center for the SS. The “Black Sun”, a symbol that is still used by right-wing extremists, has its origins here and is misused as a symbol worldwide. Reporter Desk reports that the hall, which was originally intended as the Obergruppenführer hall, is inextricably linked with SS symbols. Even though the Wewelsburg District Museum has now set up a strict ban on photography in certain rooms in order to reduce the spread of right-wing extremist content, there are still tourist trends towards this historic site.

The Wewelsburg and its meaning

Over the years, Wewelsburg has established itself not only as a reminder of the threatening appeal of National Socialism, but also as a focal point for myths and conspiracy theories. Himmler was already looking for a headquarters for the SS in 1933, and the Westphalia-Lippe region, known for its legends about the “Aryan-Nordic race,” was perfect for him. Also wewelsburg.de points out that Himmler planned the castle not only as a central training facility for SS officers, but also as a place for ritual ceremonies. The North Tower was intended to serve as a mysterious location for SS rituals and was built with the help of prisoners from a nearby concentration camp.

The dark history of Wewelsburg was shaped by the deployment of over 3,900 prisoners who had to work under miserable conditions. It was reported that not only did the camp carry out work on the castle's construction phase, but that murders were also carried out here by the Gestapo. The connections between the castle and the existing right-wing extremist discourse are striking, although the “Black Sun” symbol remains a controversial topic more than ever.

Public perception and education

On the other hand, the Wewelsburg District Museum is striving to expose the bizarre mythology surrounding the place and educate the public about the atrocities of the past. Nevertheless, it appears that interest in this type of story remains unbroken in popular culture as well as in certain political discourses. Critics such as Thomas Pfeiffer, a right-wing extremism expert, have pointed out that the “Black Sun” is not only an identifying symbol for extremists, but also conveys hidden messages of racism and anti-democracy.

The responsibility that arises from this past is discussed both by descendants such as Himmler's great-niece and by institutional institutions such as the district museum. The challenges are immense, and the cradle of National Socialism remains an issue that urgently requires critical discussion.