Undeniably, photos can captivate and provoke an immediate emotional reaction at first glance. This is why historical images play a central role in memorialization and in historical-political education. Their significance is expected to increase in the future. Not only because there are fewer witnesses and survivors who can recount their experiences, but also because our viewing and reading habits are changing. We live in a world saturated with images and must learn to engage with them appropriately.
The deportation photos collected and analyzed in the #LastSeen project shed light on a multitude of historical questions with relevance to our present: At first glance, it is clear that the persecution of Jews, Sinti, and Roma took place in full view of the public. Neighbors, passersby, and many civilian and uniformed actors were involved in the injustice. A deeper examination reveals how the deportations were prepared and how the persecuted reacted. This is the focus of the educational ressources we developed together with the agency &why – as well as with students.
Together with high school students, we selected two series—one from Munich (1941) and one from Eisenach (1942). They document the deportations of Jews in Munich and Eisenach. The series have been thoroughly researched. Additional statements, documents, newspapers, and photos uncovered through extensive archival research allow for a change in perspective and shed light on the deportation events from various angles: Who took the photos and with what intention? How did those depicted react to being photographed? What is not visible in the photos? What was deliberately left out—and what could the photographer not capture at all?
We have developed both an in-person workshop and a virtual discovery game. In the workshop, the context of the photographs is explored with the students, and then specific images are analyzed in detail together. In the virtual discovery game, players assume the role of a blogger and search an attic for information to write a blog post about the deportation from the chosen city, which they can then compare with one another.
The workshops can be conducted at the House of the Wannsee Conference memorial and educational site. Currently, two versions of the discovery game are available: Munich 1941 and Eisenach 1942. They are browser-based and can be played on a laptop or desktop computer. We recommend our digital application for students aged 14 and above. A brief guide for facilitators is also available.
The development of our discovery game is ongoing. We are considering further versions and alternative formats, and there is always room for improvement. Therefore, we warmly invite teachers and other facilitators to provide feedback after using the game. Please feel free to contact us at lastseen@zedat.fu-berlin.de.
At the moment our educational game is available only in German.
Co-operation network #LastSeen.
Pictures of Nazi deportations
Dr. Alina Bothe
Project lead
c/o Selma Stern Zentrum für Jüdische Studien Berlin-Brandenburg
Freie Universität Berlin
Habelschwerdter Allee 34A
14195 Berlin
©2024 #LastSeen. Pictures of Nazi deportations. All rights reserved.
