Comments on: The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 11:34:54 +0000

In reply to Jose Sibi. Yes, true. I suppose there could have been design elements that would discourage that behavior. Not sure what, though, since fencing or similar has symbolic power as well. I just wish people would show respect of their own accord...

By: Jose Sibi

Jose Sibi — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 23:29:11 +0000

One could also blame the architect for the behaviour. People react to the environment built around them. I visited the museum in December 2019 and saw similar activities but luckily there were a couple of a security guards who reacted.

By: Fem

Fem — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 22:34:16 +0000

I completely understand your shock and disgust and have experienced similar behaviour during my last visit to Berlin (moi being Dutch, living in Hamburg since 2013). Please note, however, that it’s generally not the Germans frolicking about the memorial, but mainly tourists who do so. Berliners themselves are disgusted by this behaviour as well and have voiced that disgust all over the internet.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 06:31:26 +0000

In reply to Terrence Dawe.

Yes, I did go there, and wrote about it here: https://rachelsruminations.com/jewish-museum-berlin/

By: Terrence Dawe

Terrence Dawe — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:50:43 +0000

In reply to Rachel Heller. Hi Rachel. There is another museum in Berlin called the Jewish Museum Berlin. It was designed by the architect Daniel Liebeskind. If you get back to Berlin you definitely have to go there.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 22:14:45 +0000

In reply to Michele {Malaysian Meanders}. I suspect that that is the reason. I don't mind that. I just minded how it was being used.

By: Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

Michele {Malaysian Meanders} — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 20:17:00 +0000

That is such a shame that a memorial is treated with so little respect. They really do need to put signs up for those who are clueless and enforce it for those who are intentionally disrespectful. I wonder why they do not light the memorial at night. Is it symbolic of the darkness — both literal and figurative?

By: Irene S. Levine

Irene S. Levine — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 03:50:16 +0000

It’s very sad that the city doesn’t make sure there is surveillance to prevent this type of thing. We were at the memorial several years ago and didn’t witness this. I’m so sorry you did.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 14:15:01 +0000

In reply to Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute. I don't think putting up signs would take away the atmosphere. They'd have to be reinforced by security guards and/or volunteers, but the signs would make it less acceptable to play on the memorial.

By: Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute

Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 11:04:55 +0000

It’s too bad you had such an experience. I’ve been to the memorial a few times, all during the day, and each time there would be people climbing up on the pillars and security guards and other visitors would tell them to get down. I agree with you, this really shouldn’t happen and putting up signs really would take away from the atmosphere (they would need to put too many signs to have any effect).