Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the cancellation of an auction featuring items linked to the Holocaust.
The intended auction was associated with Germany’s Felzmann auction house.
Sikorski stated in a translated X post, “I discussed with German Foreign Minister @JoWadephul the planned Neuss auction of artifacts from the period of German terror during the Second World War. We concurred that such a disgrace needed to be averted.”
In an English-language post, he added, “Minister @JoWadephul, thank you for confirming the cancellation of the objectionable Holocaust artifact auction. Respect for victims demands the solemnity of silence, rather than the clamor of trade.”
The Nazis’ atrocious mass murder of Jewish people during World War II marks a significant moment in 20th-century global history. According to The Associated Press, which cited German news agency dpa, items slated for auction comprised letters from concentration camp prisoners, Gestapo index cards, and various other documents from perpetrators.
The auction plan had faced considerable opposition.
For instance, the Fritz Bauer Institute voiced strong objections to the auction through a press release.
A translated German-language press release stated, “The Fritz Bauer Institute opposes the Felzmann auction house’s intended auction and fundamentally rejects any commercial dealing in documents concerning Nazi persecution and the Holocaust. Such documents should not be used for business.”
Christoph Heubner of The International Auschwitz Committee asserted in a statement, reported by the AP, that “For victims of Nazi persecution and Holocaust survivors, this auction represents a cynical and disgraceful venture that provokes outrage and leaves them speechless.” He further noted in the statement, as per the outlet, “We implore those in charge at the Felzmann auction house to demonstrate fundamental decency and call off the auction.”