Exhibition Marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Tuesday January 16 2024

A unique exhibition chronicling the sudden deportation of 17,000 Jews from Nazi Germany to Poland is to be presented in Edinburgh this month to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day.

“Expelled! ‘Polenaktion’ 1938” is being brought to Scotland’s capital from Berlin, in a partnership between Edinburgh Interfaith Association and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh.

The curator of the exhibition is Dr Alina Bothe of Berlin, who became interested in the subject while researching her doctoral dissertation. She said: “On the last weekend of October 1938 more than 25,000 people all over Germany were arrested in their homes, in their shops and offices, in hospitals and orphanages. They were brought to prisons and other assembly places, held for a few hours, before they were forced to board trains towards the Polish border. Once they arrived there, they were forced to cross into Poland at gun-point. More than 17,000 people were forcibly expelled because they were Jews.

“We are very proud to now bring this unique exhibition to Edinburgh with the early support of the Aktives Museum Berlin.”

The exhibition will be presented at the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy Auditorium, Bristo Square, from January 24-February 2. It will be open each day from 10am to 4pm and guided tours will be provided by Jewish students from the University.

The president of the Jewish Students Society at the University of Edinburgh, Elie Glaser said: “We are grateful to be partnering with the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh to present this very important exhibition that helps us remember that a greater understanding of others and compassion for all people is so much needed in our world.” 

The Rev Dr Urzula Glienecke, associate chaplain of the Chaplaincy Centre at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are very proud to host this exhibition that will provide both education and understanding for our students and many others and hopefully help prevent further terrible similar actions in the future.”

The German Consul General in Edinburgh, Christiane Hullmann, said: “The fact that the Holocaust – the previously unthinkable mass murder of six million Jews perpetrated by Germany at the heart of Europe – was able to take place is a constant reminder that we must fight all forms of anti-Semitism and racism from the very outset. I am delighted that we are able to help stage this thought-provoking exhibition both at the Scottish Parliament and at the University of Edinburgh, and I hope it will attract many visitors, especially students.”

A series of lectures will be held marking the opening of the exhibition, at which Dr Bothe will be joined by Alan Reich, the son of a ‘Polenaktion’ survivor. These will take place at a pre-opening reception at the Scottish Parliament on January 23 at 6pm, the opening reception of the exhibition itself in the University Chaplaincy on January 24 at 6pm, and a Holocaust Memorial Day Civic Reception at Edinburgh City Chambers on January 25 at 10am. You can register for these events online.

Holocaust Memorial Day is marked each year on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and remembers the millions of victims of Nazi persecution as well as genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Events are taking place throughout the country. For more information visit https://www.hmd.org.uk/ 

Life and Work is the magazine of the Church of Scotland. Order or download the latest issue here.

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