Poland’s Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in desperate need of funds

Visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in southern Poland is for most people an unforgettable experience. The 400-acre facility outside Krakow opened in 1940, originally for Polish political prisoners.  In 1942, Auschwitz-Birkenau became the Nazis’ biggest death camp; more than a million Jews were murdered there.

But parts of the memorial and museum have fallen into disrepair, prompting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to issue an urgent appeal for help to leaders of the European Union, estimating that about $150 million is needed to preserve the memorial.

Late last month, the German government pledged $1.28 million to the effort, promising more in coming years. “Germany will not shirk its responsibility,” said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Individuals can make contributions also; check the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum website for more information.

Susan Spano/Times staff writer

[Photo: en.auschwitz.org]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 12:03 pm by Susan Spano and is filed under Europe, Germany. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.