Photo: Neala Schwartzberg
In the middle of Bebelplatz in Berlin is a reminder of the dangers of book burning. In fact, it might be right under your feet.
Bebelplatz is a beautiful historic plaza in the heart of Berlin. But Berlin is a complex city. It is sophisticated, historic, fascinating, but never far away are the reminders of the havoc caused by letting the Nazis gain power - from the Holocaust Memorial, to the Topography of Terror, to the stumbling stones under foot, and in Bebelplatz, there is another kind of reminder.
Book burners are never to be trusted.
The square dates to about 1740, but it was named in 1947 after the joint founder of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), August Bebel. One of the most noteworthy buildings is the beautiful opera house.
On the 10th of May 1933, Bebelplatz became the site of the infamous book burning. Many thousands of books deemed offensive by virtue of authorship were collected and then burnt in the square. Books by Freud, Thomas Mann, Erich Kästner, Stefan Zweig, Heinrich Heine, Karl Marx, Alfred Kerr, Kurt Tucholsky and countless other writers were thrown into the flames. They were considered "un-German" and frightened small men with smaller minds.
Photo: Neala Schwartzberg
I visited Bebelplatz several months ago. In the failing light and drizzle I peered down through a plexiglass window cut into the cobblestone plaza. Designed by Micha Ullmann, it consists of an underground library with empty shelves.
Some of the reminders of the Nazi past are big and impossible to miss. But some are the small quiet kind.
Learn more about travel to Berlin: http://www.visitberlin.de and Sharon Holton-Schmitt:Germany Travel Examiner
(c) Neala Schwartzberg Subscribe above to receive notices about future fascinating and informative columns in your emailbox. Read about more Offbeat Travel and follow me on twitter at OffbeatTravel
Comments
The underground library exhibit sends chills through me. Research extant about the future of libraries indicates that they will be built underground for preservation in case of nuclear attack. I've heard of some university libraries beginning to do this.I hope we've learned from history. Thanks for this story, and this reminder.
Bonnie Jean Adams
Chicago Culture & Events Examiner
The small minded people will never disappear completely, so it is the responsibility of people who care about our cultural heritage to protect all literature, even when we do not agree with it. This is a sobering reminder of that responsibility.
www.TinyURL.com/jaygordon
This story is so timely in my life. I just finished reading "The Book Thief" about a little girl who steals books that are due to be burned. Awesome I want to go back to Berlin now!
What the book burners learn is that it simply does not work. The underground empty shelves are indeed moving and impressive.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!