Is talking about the holocaust in germany permitted?

Show all answers

yiotadelta

It is illegal to deny that there was holocaust. Germans learn a lot at school about WWII and what they did and they also frequently show relevant documentaries on TV. Maybe this is why at least the 2n generation still feels guilty about what their ancestors did (those who are 30-40 years old). Until last summer (Mundial) it was impossible to think of a normal german walking in the streets waving a german flag. But as it seems, gradually they begin to realise that they can acknowledge what happened in the past and still be proud of being germans for other reasons (culture, economy, environmental protection etc). In general, they can discuss about it, but they don't really feel very comfortable.
In any case, never ask anyone directly (like I have unfortunately done) if their grandfather was a Nazi, if someone wears a long leather jacket don't say that it looks like the Gestapo Mantel, and don't wonder if their boots are "Wermacht". And often they cannot grasp that an artist can be judged for their work independently to their beliefs (see Leni Riefenstahl, great photographer but unfortunately a Hitler follower is still ignored by many Germans, exactly because she was a nazi follower).

Altstadtweib

Of course you can talk about the Holocaust. Not everybody likes to do it though(maybe especially the older generation), but if you are interested to talk about it you can definetely give it a try.
My grandma (who recently passed away) told me all kinds of stories about WWII. I wish I would have written all these stories down or videotaped her.

Ronin

Absolutely.
DENYING it is illegal.

Never forget a very famous and important historical point: "Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it"! Without accepting, learning, and acknowledging what we define as past mistakes in history, the same things that we do not want to happen again will happen again! Without talking about the holocaust, and other things in history, these things could take place again because they get shoved aside and are ignored so people in our current society will not know about these events that took place in the past and the negative consequences of these events.
For instance, if we were to keep knowledge of medications and antibiotics from today's public, when they worked to cure diseases in the past, we would not know this today and many people could die today of the same bacteria, viruses, and other diseases that killed people in the past! That is why the above historical phrase is so important!

justmemimi

Absolutely yes it is permitted, .... but make sure you talk about it only to open-minded people, because depending on who you talk to about it and how you talk about it.... you might be in for an aggressive and defensive verbal combat that will boggle your mind.... or a calm and objective discussion.

shamrock hero

I guess....but I would be careful who you say it around.

rainbowstylin

yes u can talk about it, but if you deny it (in public) it is illegal and you will be arrested.

l337supa94mzor

Talking about the holocaust in Germany is almost a taboo. Germans aren't ignorant that it didn't happen, but they don't like to talk about it because they feel guilty. A german director made a movie about the holocaust and released it in Germany this year, and he got in big trouble. I guess you could talk about it with family members or something, but if you say it in a pub, be wearing body armor (jk).

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: