Documentation Centre “German Occupation of Europe in the Second World War” (ZWBE)
About us
Between 1939 and 1945, Germany brought disenfranchisement, suffering, destruction, and death to large parts of Europe. Around 230 million people in what are now more than 30 countries lived under German occupation. The methods of warfare and the treatment of the civilian population constituted major crimes. The Shoah and the genocide of Sinti and Roma were unique in history.
In the areas that suffered under German occupation, the violence is still felt today. To acknowledge this, the German Bundestag resolved to found a Documentation Centre in Berlin and entrusted the DHM with its realisation.
The future centre will present the European dimension of the German occupation and provide room for commemoration. It will focus on the experience of the victims, particularly those groups that have received less attention. This knowledge can also help foster a better understanding of contemporary Europe.
Projects
In the DHM event series “Historical Judgement”, the symposium in spring 2022 took up this topic. In its cover story, the fourth edition of the magazine “Historical Judgement” documented the different contributions to the symposium. The exhibition “On Displaying Violence: First Exhibitions on the Nazi Occupation in Europe, 1945-1948” was realised in cooperation with the DHM. An accompanying programme conceived by the DHM and the ZWBE explores the topic of German occupation and tyranny in Europe in greater depth.
Team
