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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.
Angela Merkel
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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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