http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 05:52:29 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 05:52:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/director-of-nazi-themed-wagner-opera-claims-artistic-censorship-a-899543.html#ref=rss A recent staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" at Düsseldorf's Deutsche Oper am Rhein was withdrawn when protests broke out during and after the premier. The director of the production, Burkhard Kosminski, 51, discusses the controversy and why he decided to set the opera in the Third Reich. Mon, 13 May 2013 17:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/director-of-nazi-themed-wagner-opera-claims-artistic-censorship-a-899543.html A recent staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" at Düsseldorf's Deutsche Oper am Rhein was withdrawn when protests broke out during and after the premier. The director of the production, Burkhard Kosminski, 51, discusses the controversy and why he decided to set the opera in the Third Reich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/law-experts-criticize-german-authorities-for-late-push-on-nazi-crimes-a-899445.html#ref=rss Last week's arrest of a 93-year-old on suspicion of abetting murder as a guard at Auschwitz is part of a late push by German authorities to bring lower-ranking Nazi helpers to justice. Legal experts say they should have -- and could have -- done so decades ago. Mon, 13 May 2013 11:25:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/law-experts-criticize-german-authorities-for-late-push-on-nazi-crimes-a-899445.html Last week's arrest of a 93-year-old on suspicion of abetting murder as a guard at Auschwitz is part of a late push by German authorities to bring lower-ranking Nazi helpers to justice. Legal experts say they should have -- and could have -- done so decades ago. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-arrests-alleged-former-auschwitz-guard-a-898490.html#ref=rss Hans Lipschis, a 93-year-old thought to have been a guard at Auschwitz, was arrested in Germany on Monday. The Lithuanian-born man, who was added to the Simon Wiesenthal Center's most wanted list last month, says he was only a cook. But prosecutors believe he supported the killing in his role as a guard. Tue, 07 May 2013 11:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-arrests-alleged-former-auschwitz-guard-a-898490.html Hans Lipschis, a 93-year-old thought to have been a guard at Auschwitz, was arrested in Germany on Monday. The Lithuanian-born man, who was added to the Simon Wiesenthal Center's most wanted list last month, says he was only a cook. But prosecutors believe he supported the killing in his role as a guard. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/historian-goetz-aly-on-nazi-euthanasia-program-and-inclusion-debate-a-896209.html#ref=rss German historian Götz Aly is an expert on euthanasia during the Nazi era. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses why many accepted the murder of the handicapped and mentally ill, and how his own daughter has shaped his views on how the disabled should be treated today. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:57:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/historian-goetz-aly-on-nazi-euthanasia-program-and-inclusion-debate-a-896209.html German historian Götz Aly is an expert on euthanasia during the Nazi era. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses why many accepted the murder of the handicapped and mentally ill, and how his own daughter has shaped his views on how the disabled should be treated today.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html#ref=rss Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:46:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-to-investigate-50-former-auschwitz-guards-a-893123.html#ref=rss Prosecutors have obtained a list of 50 former Auschwitz guards still alive in Germany and will investigate whether they can stand trial. Guards at other death camps and members of the feared Einsatzgruppen death squads are also being traced in a late push to bring the surviving perpetrators of the Holocaust to justice. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-to-investigate-50-former-auschwitz-guards-a-893123.html Prosecutors have obtained a list of 50 former Auschwitz guards still alive in Germany and will investigate whether they can stand trial. Guards at other death camps and members of the feared Einsatzgruppen death squads are also being traced in a late push to bring the surviving perpetrators of the Holocaust to justice.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html#ref=rss A miniseries that aired in Germany this month has enthralled viewers with its emotional portrayal of the role that average people played in WWII. Stripped of moral pretension, it also establishes a new, multigenerational milestone in the country's culture of remembrance. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-votes-to-not-amend-pension-law-for-jewish-ghetto-laborers-a-890485.html#ref=rss On Thursday, the ruling parties in Germany's parliament blocked a measure to resolve the amount German pension funds must pay to former laborers in Nazi-era ghettos. Israeli officials are incensed and have promised to increase pressure. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:42:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-votes-to-not-amend-pension-law-for-jewish-ghetto-laborers-a-890485.html On Thursday, the ruling parties in Germany's parliament blocked a measure to resolve the amount German pension funds must pay to former laborers in Nazi-era ghettos. Israeli officials are incensed and have promised to increase pressure.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israel-weighs-whether-to-honor-brother-of-leading-nazi-hermann-goering-a-887032.html#ref=rss Leading Nazi Hermann Göring was instrumental to Hitler's reign of terror, but research suggests his brother Albert saved the lives of dozens of Jews. Israel must now decide whether he deserves to be honored as one of the "Righteous Among the Nations." Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:27:56 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israel-weighs-whether-to-honor-brother-of-leading-nazi-hermann-goering-a-887032.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rabbi-abraham-cooper-calls-german-journalist-an-anti-semite-a-880831.html#ref=rss Rabbi Abraham Cooper has reiterated the Simon Wiesenthal Center's stance that German journalist Jakob Augstein, who also writes a column for SPIEGEL ONLINE, is a leading anti-Semite. He said that Augstein's recent comments have done nothing to change his opinion. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:28:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rabbi-abraham-cooper-calls-german-journalist-an-anti-semite-a-880831.html Rabbi Abraham Cooper has reiterated the Simon Wiesenthal Center's stance that German journalist Jakob Augstein, who also writes a column for SPIEGEL ONLINE, is a leading anti-Semite. He said that Augstein's recent comments have done nothing to change his opinion.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-unsatisfactory-approach-to-art-looted-by-the-nazis-a-880363.html#ref=rss Adolf Hitler and his Nazi henchmen amassed huge amounts of valuable art, jewelry and other collectibles prior to and during World War II. It is a poisonous legacy which German museums and governments have failed to properly address. The moral disaster continues to the present day. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-unsatisfactory-approach-to-art-looted-by-the-nazis-a-880363.html Adolf Hitler and his Nazi henchmen amassed huge amounts of valuable art, jewelry and other collectibles prior to and during World War II. It is a poisonous legacy which German museums and governments have failed to properly address. The moral disaster continues to the present day.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-book-explores-how-so-many-nazis-escaped-justice-in-south-america-a-879101.html#ref=rss After World War II, dozens of Nazi criminals went into hiding in South America. A new study reveals how a 'coalition of the unwilling' on both sides of the Atlantic successfully stymied efforts to hunt and prosecute these criminals for decades. Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:22:41 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-book-explores-how-so-many-nazis-escaped-justice-in-south-america-a-879101.html After World War II, dozens of Nazi criminals went into hiding in South America. A new study reveals how a 'coalition of the unwilling' on both sides of the Atlantic successfully stymied efforts to hunt and prosecute these criminals for decades.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-probed-for-painting-allegedly-made-with-holocaust-victim-ash-a-876565.html#ref=rss A Swedish artist has caused outrage by claiming to have created a painting using ash he took from an oven in Majdanek concentration camp. Polish prosecutors said on Tuesday they had opened an investigation. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:25:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-probed-for-painting-allegedly-made-with-holocaust-victim-ash-a-876565.html A Swedish artist has caused outrage by claiming to have created a painting using ash he took from an oven in Majdanek concentration camp. Polish prosecutors said on Tuesday they had opened an investigation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anne-frank-becomes-focus-of-new-books-and-films-a-875442.html#ref=rss Anne Frank is a figure of hope whose diary has been read by millions of people around the world. Two new books, an upcoming film and a soon to open museum seek to create a contemporary, complicated -- and more Jewish -- image of the Holocaust victim. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:17:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anne-frank-becomes-focus-of-new-books-and-films-a-875442.html Anne Frank is a figure of hope whose diary has been read by millions of people around the world. Two new books, an upcoming film and a soon to open museum seek to create a contemporary, complicated -- and more Jewish -- image of the Holocaust victim.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/essay-the-return-of-the-ugly-german-a-872433.html#ref=rss The 2006 World Cup in Germany seemed like a fairy tale come true for the country. Suddenly, years of troubling history seemed to lift amidst euphoria over the cosmopolitan twist fate had brought to the country. But this year, amid fresh debates over xenophobia, many are left wondering if the ugly German is back. Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/essay-the-return-of-the-ugly-german-a-872433.html The 2006 World Cup in Germany seemed like a fairy tale come true for the country. Suddenly, years of troubling history seemed to lift amidst euphoria over the cosmopolitan twist fate had brought to the country. But this year, amid fresh debates over xenophobia, many are left wondering if the ugly German is back.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-german-government-fails-to-fight-racism-against-sinti-and-roma-a-872552.html#ref=rss Less than two months ago, Germany's government made a big show of dedicating a memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of Nazi crimes, pledging greater efforts to fight discrimination. But a new report chastises Berlin for doing little to combat the mistreatment and prejudice the minorities face each day. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:25:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-german-government-fails-to-fight-racism-against-sinti-and-roma-a-872552.html Less than two months ago, Germany's government made a big show of dedicating a memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of Nazi crimes, pledging greater efforts to fight discrimination. But a new report chastises Berlin for doing little to combat the mistreatment and prejudice the minorities face each day.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/holocaust-tracing-service-in-bad-arolsen-still-reunited-survivors-a-869289.html#ref=rss The International Tracing Service, set up after World War II to help survivors of Nazi Germany find their families, is being turned into a historical archive that will help convey the scale and the suffering of the Holocaust to coming generations. Its vast vault of files is still helping to reunite survivors -- and has just given Wilhelm Thiem his identity back. Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/holocaust-tracing-service-in-bad-arolsen-still-reunited-survivors-a-869289.html The International Tracing Service, set up after World War II to help survivors of Nazi Germany find their families, is being turned into a historical archive that will help convey the scale and the suffering of the Holocaust to coming generations. Its vast vault of files is still helping to reunite survivors -- and has just given Wilhelm Thiem his identity back. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/filmmaker-confronts-leaders-over-forgotten-holocaust-in-romania-a-867058.html#ref=rss In a new documentary film, director Florin Iepan confronts Romania's leaders over their ongoing silence about the country's role in the Holocaust. But in a place where war criminals are still lauded as national heroes, his aim of getting them to acknowledge the past remains a daunting task. Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/filmmaker-confronts-leaders-over-forgotten-holocaust-in-romania-a-867058.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/monument-to-sinti-and-roma-murdered-in-the-holocaust-opens-in-berlin-a-863212.html#ref=rss Berlin is home to several monuments to Germany's dark past. On Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel helped inaugurate another one, this one dedicated to the Sinti and Roma murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. With persecution of the minority on the rise, its unveiling could hardly have been more timely. Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/monument-to-sinti-and-roma-murdered-in-the-holocaust-opens-in-berlin-a-863212.html Berlin is home to several monuments to Germany's dark past. On Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel helped inaugurate another one, this one dedicated to the Sinti and Roma murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. With persecution of the minority on the rise, its unveiling could hardly have been more timely.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/auschwitz-photographer-wilhelm-brasse-dies-a-863100.html#ref=rss The photographer who took pictures of tens of thousands of Auschwitz prisoners during World War II died on Tuesday. Almost seven decades after the end of the war, Wilhelm Brasse's pictures preserve the memory of Holocaust victims. Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:08:52 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/auschwitz-photographer-wilhelm-brasse-dies-a-863100.html The photographer who took pictures of tens of thousands of Auschwitz prisoners during World War II died on Tuesday. Almost seven decades after the end of the war, Wilhelm Brasse's pictures preserve the memory of Holocaust victims. ]]>