Nobody in Europe will be abandoned. Nobody in Europe will be excluded. Europe only succeeds if we work together.
Angela MerkelRead
I can say that we are very clear in our mind about the responsibility of the national soldiers for the break with civilisation that was the Shoah. We are firmly convinced that this is something that will have to be handed over to generations to come... so we don't see any reason to change our view of history.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the enduring responsibility of acknowledging and teaching about the Holocaust across generations.
Angela Merkel reflects on the moral obligation to remember and convey the lessons of the Holocaust (Shoah) to future generations. She asserts the importance of maintaining a clear historical perspective on the actions of national soldiers during this tragic event, highlighting a commitment to truth and education about this dark chapter in history.
Themes
HolocaustResponsibilityHistoryEducationMemory
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing a conference on human rights, one could cite this quote to emphasize the importance of historical awareness.
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During the course of 1989, more and more East Germans lost their fears of the state's repression and chicanery and went out on the streets. There was no turning back then. It is thanks to their courage the Wall was opened.
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