Dealing with aspects of resistance to the Nazi regime in an up-to-date way in the classroom
The way resistance against the Nazi regime in Austria is remembered has changed repeatedly over the past decades. Immediately after 1945 the armed, military resistance against the Nazi regime was the focus of political attention – after all it was necessary to prove that Austria had made its own contribution to its liberation. Under the influence of the Documentation Archive of the Austrian Resistance, which was founded in 1963, a broader understanding of resistance has developed. In addition to resistance organised by political parties everyday resistance also came into focus. This opened up a more comprehensive view of the various types of resistance behaviour of individuals against the Nazi regime.
This year's Central Seminar of the OeAD Programme _erinnern.at_, which takes place in Goldegg (Salzburg) from 24 to 26 November 2022, is dedicated to these different aspects of resistance. In presentations, workshops and excursions, which include visits to historical places such as Hallein or Saalfelden, the participants will learn about different ways of dealing with this topic in a modern way in lessons at school. These include, for example, digital media, such as a virtual tour of the Jewish resistance in Vienna or materials from the German Resistance Memorial Center, which show that there was also resistance among persecuted Sinti and Roma.
“A living culture of remembrance of what happened during National Socialism is an important contribution to our democratic society. The topics that are discussed are sometimes controversial but historical research supports a scientific consensus that forms the basis of education at school. In times of great scepticism about science it is essential to provide pupils with sound knowledge of historical events, especially in their immediate, local environment. The OeAD programme _erinnern.at_ wants to make an important contribution to this with its materials and professional development of teachers,” emphasises the OeAD’s managing director, Jakob Calice, who opened the event together with the Education Councillor of Salzburg, Daniela Gutschi, at Goldegg Castle.
Goldegg was not chosen by chance as the venue for this year’s OeAD seminar. Here the significance of local history and the effects of the Nazi regime on social life then and now can be shown particularly well. In a large-scale raid by the Gestapo and SS in July 1944 the area around Goldegg was combed in search of deserters and their supporters. In the course of the numerous arrests – including of helpers and family members of those in hiding – 14 people were killed: in the raids themselves, in concentration camps to which they were deported or in penal companies.
The education councillor Daniela Gutschi emphasises: “The era of National Socialism and the Holocaust has shaped Europe’s cultural memory. The critical examination of the crime against humanity – the Shoah, the power structures of the Nazis, and the memory of the resistance and the helpers of persecuted people are part of our identity. We and our education system have a special part and responsibility in this. Unfortunately we have fewer and fewer survivors and witnesses of national socialism and the holocaust, such as Marko Feingold was. This makes it all the more important for teachers to deal with this topic in a well-founded manner so that they can communicate it to the pupils in an authentic way.”
About _erinnern.at_
_erinnern.at_ is the name of the OeAD’s programme for teaching and learning about National Socialism and the Holocaust. The education agency’s programme promotes the transfer of historical and methodological-didactic knowledge and the reflection of its significance for the present. The Central Seminar is the largest professional development event for teachers on the subject of the Holocaust, National Socialism and anti-Semitism and is held annually in different federal provinces. It is aimed at teachers of all types of schools from all over Austria.
Further information:
https://www.erinnern.at/bildungsangebote/seminare/zentrales-seminar