Description: During World War II, the Neuengamme Concentration Camp was expanded to become the central concentration camp in Northwest Germany with more than 85 subcamps. As a result of the principle of "extermination through labor" pursued by the SS, nearly half of the total of about 100,000 prisoners deported from all over Europe died. Today, the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial is a place of remembrance, infor-mation, education and research. It is also the result of political disputes from the post-war period to the present. For decades, two prisons were located onsite, so that most of the for-mer concentration camp grounds were not accessible to the public. The first work-camp in 1982 laid out the first paths and erected the first information boards.

Type of Work: The work consists of two parts. On the one hand, the various memorials on the grounds of the Neuengamme concentration camp memorial are to be inspected and cleaned if necessary. For example, the large plaque of the 1965 memorial is so weathered that the names of the individual places can hardly be read. On the other hand, the former administration building of the clinker factory of the concentration camp is to be renovated to make it usable for groups and more homely. For example, small holes and cracks need to be plastered and the rooms painted. It is planned to name the individual rooms in the building after former prisoners, e.g. Fritz Bringmann, and to provide them with photos, pictures and short biographies. Biographies can be researched and materials selected for this purpose.

Study Theme: Memories are fading, including those of Neuengamme concentration camp. The studypart addresses the question of how this can be counteracted. The focus is on the current forms of remembrance culture. In addition to examples from Neuengamme, examples from the vol-unteer´s countries can also be included. Experts on remembrance culture as well as mem-bers of the so-called 2nd generation (children of former prisoners and perpetrators), are invited for discussions. Experiences and new knowledge will be documented in the memori-al's social media channels and in articles for the local newspaper.

Accommodation: The volunteers are accommodated in multi-bed rooms. If necessary, tents will also be used for accommodation this year, if the pandemic still requires it, in order to minimize the risk of infection. Cooking and eating will take place in large tents. The accommodation is located on the grounds of the Neuengamme concentration camp memorial.

Language: Good knowledge of English and/or German is required for communication, the work- and study-part.

Requirements: At least good knowledge of English. Interest in the history of National Socialism as well as self-initiative. A prerequisite for participation is the willingness to follow the Covid regula-tions of the memorial.

Approximate Location: The Neuengamme concentration camp memorial is located on the outskirts of the city of Hamburg. The city centre can be reached in one hour by public transport. Excursions to Hamburg are possible. Hamburg has 1.8 million inhabitants and the largest port in Germany. The city offers more than 60 theatres, 100 clubs and over 60 museums. The North Sea and Baltic Sea are approx. 100-150 km away and can be visited at the weekend.

Notes: CODIV19: At the memorial, also due to the contact with survivors and other elderly people, the risk of infection with COVID19 is handled very carefully. There will be self-tests on site and there is the possibility to stay alone, in a room or in a tent. Therefore, the camp is also well suited for people who belong to risk groups. INCOMING FEE for volunteers applying via partner organisations and contacts of SCI: https://sci-d.de/incomingfee

Camp Photographs