Why did Auschwitz become one of the central symbols of the Holocaust? How can a museum communicate the complexity of a place that was at once a concentration camp, a killing center, and a site of suffering for different groups of victims?
In this episode of Bridging Voices – Polish-Jewish Dialogue, I speak with Paweł Sawicki, Deputy Spokesperson of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, about the history of the museum, the changes it has undergone over the decades, and the challenges of presenting Auschwitz to contemporary audiences.
We discuss how the museum was established, how its educational and commemorative role has evolved, and how it confronts questions of memory, interpretation, authenticity, and responsibility today. We also ask what it means to preserve the physical site while ensuring that its history remains understandable and meaningful for future generations.
A conversation about Auschwitz not only as a historical site, but as a place where history, memory, education, and contemporary public discourse constantly intersect.