Berlin Tussauds museum to get dictator?

Antipodean Andy · Jun 2, 2008

Hitler wax figure sparks controversy | NEWS.com.au

PLANS to include an Adolf Hitler figure in the new Berlin branch of Madame Tussauds wax museum are being condemned by critics who say displaying the dictator is tasteless and could attract neo-Nazis.

Madame Tussauds, which is due to open its Berlin museum next month, argues Hitler is part of German history and deserves a place in the exhibition near the Brandenburg Gate.

"Our surveys show people want to see him because he belongs to Germany's past,'' said spokesman Natalie Ruoss.

Hitler would be featured as a broken man in a dark, bunker-like setting, with panels providing explanations on the dictator, Ms Ruoss said.

Opponents of the Hitler waxwork say the man who led Germany into World War II and ordered the extermination of Europe's Jews should not be shown in the same style as popstars, statesmen and famous soccer players.

"It's tasteless,'' said Johannes Tuchel, from the Gedenkstaette Deutscher Widerstand, a memorial for opponents of the Nazi regime.

"A waxworks museum is meant to entertain and to amuse. It's not appropriate to have a Hitler figure there.''

Mr Tuchel said Germany had many historical museums which informed citizens about the Nazi regime and the Holocaust, adding a waxworks exhibition could hardly provide the necessary explanation and context to treat this chapter of history.

"It's embarrassing that this part of German history should be exhibited like this,'' he said.

"There's also the danger that young people could try to take pictures with Hitler.''

In the Madame Tussauds museum in London, a Hitler figure is on display in the same section as other world leaders from the past and present, including US president George W. Bush and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit, whose waxworks image will also be part of the exhibition, has written a letter to the museum, asking for more information on how Hitler will be presented and urging organisers to treat the matter in a sensitive way.

Uwe Neumaerker from the foundation for Germany's central Holocaust memorial site, based just a few hundred metres away from the museum, said the Hitler figure was tasteless.

"This is all about producing a shock effect and attracting clients,'' he told Berliner Zeitung daily.

Apart from Hitler, the new museum will also feature waxworks of scientist Albert Einstein, Chancellor Angela Merkel and sports stars, including former tennis champion Boris Becker.

Madame Tussauds spokeswoman Ruoss said visitors would not be able to pose with the Hitler figure, which would be sealed off and be under camera surveillance.
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Kyt · Jun 2, 2008

Oh come on, sometimes people need to loosen up. As Hitler is in London I don't see the problem. A draw for neo-nazis? I doubt they have the patience for the several hours queuing, if it ends up like here.

Adrian Roberts · Jun 2, 2008

If the Germans truly want to confront their past, then Hitler needs to be there - far worse to not talk about him at all.

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Berlin Tussauds museum to get dictator?

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