Westerbork

[gerbie]

Last week we were in Drenthe, one of the northern provinces of my country. We came through Westerbork and had to visit the World War 2 concentration camp. It is the most famous one in the Netherlands, the biggest one as well. 102.000 jews were taken here before continuing their journey to Auschwitz, Theresin or other camps, to be killed there. Anne Frank was one of the temporary inhabitants of Westerbork. Nowadays there is a museum and the former camp can be visited as well.

The picture is from the national monument there. The end of the rail track. Symbolic, every tuesday about one 1000 were selected and send onwards. Every week you knew your life could be about to end. In the meantime life had to continue, including school, sports and theatre.

After Sachsenhausen en Theresin this was the third time I visited a concentration camp. And every single time it completely draws me in. I can't talk for a while. Tears are pushing to find a way. How can mankind sink so low that things like this happen. Still happen actually. How can some people know about the existence of concentration camps and still treat others the way they do? It is difficult to stay optimistic about mankind after a visit like this.


The camp has its own site: Westerbork (also in English and German)

Comments

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Westerbork is a good place to visit, certainly on a school trip. It does depend on the kids though. I visited Teresin/Theresienstadt as part of a school trip as well, it didn't hit me as hard as I thought, I was too busy organising and keeping the group together.