The project explores forgotten and often hidden sites of remembrance from the Second World War in Upper Silesia’s industrial landscape. While places like Auschwitz dominate collective memory, Deposits of Memory sheds light on lesser-known sites, such as Auschwitz subcamps—factories, steelworks, and mines—as well as locations along the Death March route.
Through a study visit to Upper Silesia and online discussions, participants examine how we remember and forget these historically significant places. Together, we develop educational materials that challenge conventional narratives of memory and commemoration.
Aimed at educators, the project highlights overlooked wartime sites that have been absorbed into the urban fabric. The title Deposits of Memory alludes to the region’s coal deposits—key resources that shaped its history but also bore witness to tragedy. Many mines and industrial plants functioned as subcamps, where prisoners of diverse nationalities and religions were subjected to forced labor.
By focusing on these layered local histories, Deposits of Memory questions established ideas of heritage, identity, and remembrance beyond major memorials like Auschwitz. More broadly, it encourages reflection on similarly significant yet often neglected sites worldwide—places marked by war, the Holocaust, and Nazism. Upper Silesia serves as a starting point for a deeper discussion on how we engage with history.
More information on the project and the schedule can be found here.
