The initiative that has taken more than 7,500 young Spaniards to visit Auschwitz and other Places of Memory has been described as a space of respect, shared pain, and deep learning that must be protected and valued. Beyond historical memory, Auschwitz presents itself as a living warning and a space for critical learning, where human values and dignity prevail over forgetfulness and indifference. According to Álvaro Enrique de Villamor y Soraluce, representative of the Memorial in Spain, these places allow the study of the dynamics of hatred, dehumanization, crime, and resistance.
From an academic perspective, two fundamental pillars of this initiative are highlighted: to remember and to build a more humane future based on reflection on universal values. Eduardo de Ocampo, director of the Education Department of the Auschwitz Institute, explains that the exhibition seeks to generate deep reflection on human values and the fragility of dignity in contexts of violence and oppression.
In addition to the exhibition, conversations are being established to create the national headquarters of the Auschwitz Birkenau National Institute of Spain in Toledo. This project aims to be a center for the interpretation of the totalitarianisms of the 20th century, with the goal of inviting reflection on democratic values and fundamental rights. According to Villamor y Soraluce, Auschwitz is a melting pot of values and anti-values, where all aspects of the human condition were experienced.
The work of the Auschwitz Institute in Spain focuses on the education of young people, seeking to connect memory with the present. The importance of new generations understanding the impact of the Nazi regime through direct contact with Places of Memory is emphasized. Remembering the Holocaust is not enough; it is necessary to learn from what happened and apply it to current challenges.
The exhibition at the San Clemente Cultural Center in Toledo seeks to demonstrate respect and dignity for the victims of Nazism. According to Villamor y Soraluce, concentration and extermination camps represent horror taken to its maximum extreme, and it is essential to approach these places with humility and reflection. The participating young people have shown interest and commitment to historical memory.
In short, the importance of Places of Memory as a tool for education in universal values and for reflection on current challenges is highlighted. The connection between the past and the present is fundamental to prevent tragedies like the Holocaust from happening again and to build a more just and humane society.
