PODCAST
SPEME’s specific object of investigation is a diverse array of memory spaces, such as museums, sites of commemoration, or in this case: archives. By making use of the archives of H401, this podcast explores the story of Thülö Röhl (1920-1943), a promising student with artistic aspirations who slowly evolved to be an ambitious Nazi soldier. The mother of Thülö Röhl was a good friend of the people who lived at this historical house at the Herengracht in Amsterdam; they found each other in their shared interest in German poetry and literature. After the death of Alexandra Röhl in 1975, the archival material was stored in the historical house at the Herengracht. By finding a location for the archive of her son, Alexandra Röhl secured his artistic legacy and place in history. Looking through her eyes we see Thülö Röhl as a young artist exploring his many talents. But does the archive tell the complete story? In the form of imaginative storytelling, this podcast will focus on many issues that may be found in an archive, such as the authority of the archive and the under-representation or even the absence of representation of specific narratives of the past.
Second World War
The First World War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 in which Germany was held responsible for the losses of the war. The end of the First World War also saw the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the establishment of a democratic republic under the name of the ‘Weimar Republic’. In 1921, Adolf Hitler emerged as a new leader for the NSDAP Party. Hitler, who was a veteran of the First World War and shared the frustration and disappointment of the German people, became Reichskanzlerin 1933. Hitler’s invasion of Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938, and of Poland in 1939 resulted in a declaration of war by England and France. The Second World War directly involved most countries of the world and divided them into two military alliances: The Allies and the Axis powers. The involvement of the Soviet Union and The United States of America was a turning point in the war and Germany surrendered on the 8th of May in 1945. It is estimated that between 50 and 70 million people lost their lives during the Second World War.
A promising student with artistic aspirations who slowly evolved to be an ambitious Nazi soldier.
Imagining
Thülo Röhl’s Story
(Conflict of the Archive)
Untangle the perspectives of Remembrance
Listen the previous podcast:
Srebrenica Herinneren (Remembering Srebrenica)
