Holocaust Education and the Symbolic Geography of the Holocaust in Sweden
(2026) Advances in Holocaust research and education. A re-evaluation of perspectives and methods. A conference in memory of Paul A. Levine p.263-284- Abstract
- In memory of Dr. Paul Levine, my friend and mentor during the last years of his life, this chapter honors his commitment to research, write, and teach about the Holocaust and the entangled histories of Sweden and the Holocaust. In this chapter, I demonstrate how traces of the Holocaust in Sweden—including former refugee camps, cemeteries, schools, and hospitals, etc.—help educate students and the public about the events of the Holocaust, its historical significance in Sweden, and its relevance today. I argue that “authentic sites” of Nazi persecution—often regarded as the most pedagogically authoritative locations—are not only the places where the destruction and persecution were perpetrated (a conception that vests authenticity with the... (More)
- In memory of Dr. Paul Levine, my friend and mentor during the last years of his life, this chapter honors his commitment to research, write, and teach about the Holocaust and the entangled histories of Sweden and the Holocaust. In this chapter, I demonstrate how traces of the Holocaust in Sweden—including former refugee camps, cemeteries, schools, and hospitals, etc.—help educate students and the public about the events of the Holocaust, its historical significance in Sweden, and its relevance today. I argue that “authentic sites” of Nazi persecution—often regarded as the most pedagogically authoritative locations—are not only the places where the destruction and persecution were perpetrated (a conception that vests authenticity with the perpetrators). Rather, I contend that “authenticity” in relation to Nazi persecution (and the pedagogical authority carried with it) is conferred by the victims and survivors. Authentic sites of Nazi persecution can thus be understood not only as sites of destruction but also as sites of survival and death in the aftermath of the destruction. As such, many authentic sites of Nazi persecution exist in Sweden. This chapter draws on examples from my own and other scholars’ research on places in Sweden where traces of the Holocaust may be found, as well as on grassroots efforts conducted by educators and activists, for three purposes. First, to explore theoretical and practical approaches to uncovering the significance of place. Second, to examine the potential of local history for teaching about broader, national and transnational histories of the Holocaust and Sweden’s complex connection with the Holocaust and its aftermath. Finally, to investigate what can be—or is already being—done to enhance past and current efforts to educate the public about these important issues. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/23560ab2-e2d2-43e5-87a2-a79558db9105
- author
- Martínez, Victoria Van Orden LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-07-30
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Holocaust aftermath studies, Holocaust education, cultural geography, Sweden, Holocaust survivors, survivors of Nazi persecution, Second World War, authenticity, refugee camps, refugee studies, cemeteries, transnational histories, local history, pedagogy, Paul A Levine
- host publication
- Advances in Holocaust History and Education : A Re-evaluation of Perspectives and Methods in Honour of Paul A. Levine - A Re-evaluation of Perspectives and Methods in Honour of Paul A. Levine
- editor
- Rudberg, Pontus ; Kvist Geverts, Karin and Bruchfeld, Stéphane
- pages
- 22 pages
- publisher
- Palgrave Macmillan
- conference name
- Advances in Holocaust research and education. A re-evaluation of perspectives and methods. A conference in memory of Paul A. Levine
- conference location
- Uppsala, Sweden
- conference dates
- 2023-02-20 - 2023-02-21
- ISBN
- 978-3-032-26333-9
- 978-3-032-26334-6
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-032-26334-6_11
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 23560ab2-e2d2-43e5-87a2-a79558db9105
- date added to LUP
- 2026-08-06 12:11:48
- date last changed
- 2026-08-27 14:16:56
@inbook{23560ab2-e2d2-43e5-87a2-a79558db9105,
abstract = {{In memory of Dr. Paul Levine, my friend and mentor during the last years of his life, this chapter honors his commitment to research, write, and teach about the Holocaust and the entangled histories of Sweden and the Holocaust. In this chapter, I demonstrate how traces of the Holocaust in Sweden—including former refugee camps, cemeteries, schools, and hospitals, etc.—help educate students and the public about the events of the Holocaust, its historical significance in Sweden, and its relevance today. I argue that “authentic sites” of Nazi persecution—often regarded as the most pedagogically authoritative locations—are not only the places where the destruction and persecution were perpetrated (a conception that vests authenticity with the perpetrators). Rather, I contend that “authenticity” in relation to Nazi persecution (and the pedagogical authority carried with it) is conferred by the victims and survivors. Authentic sites of Nazi persecution can thus be understood not only as sites of destruction but also as sites of survival and death in the aftermath of the destruction. As such, many authentic sites of Nazi persecution exist in Sweden. This chapter draws on examples from my own and other scholars’ research on places in Sweden where traces of the Holocaust may be found, as well as on grassroots efforts conducted by educators and activists, for three purposes. First, to explore theoretical and practical approaches to uncovering the significance of place. Second, to examine the potential of local history for teaching about broader, national and transnational histories of the Holocaust and Sweden’s complex connection with the Holocaust and its aftermath. Finally, to investigate what can be—or is already being—done to enhance past and current efforts to educate the public about these important issues.}},
author = {{Martínez, Victoria Van Orden}},
booktitle = {{Advances in Holocaust History and Education : A Re-evaluation of Perspectives and Methods in Honour of Paul A. Levine}},
editor = {{Rudberg, Pontus and Kvist Geverts, Karin and Bruchfeld, Stéphane}},
isbn = {{978-3-032-26333-9}},
keywords = {{Holocaust aftermath studies; Holocaust education; cultural geography; Sweden; Holocaust survivors; survivors of Nazi persecution; Second World War; authenticity; refugee camps; refugee studies; cemeteries; transnational histories; local history; pedagogy; Paul A Levine}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{07}},
pages = {{263--284}},
publisher = {{Palgrave Macmillan}},
title = {{Holocaust Education and the Symbolic Geography of the Holocaust in Sweden}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-26334-6_11}},
doi = {{10.1007/978-3-032-26334-6_11}},
year = {{2026}},
}