{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"da.news","provider_url":"https:\/\/da.news\/en\/","title":"Messel Pit: Memorial commemorates forced labor - da.news","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"M5wtm6uCav\"><a href=\"https:\/\/da.news\/en\/the-messel-pit-memorial-commemorates-forced-labor\/\">Messel Pit: Memorial commemorates forced labor<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/da.news\/en\/the-messel-pit-memorial-commemorates-forced-labor\/embed\/#?secret=M5wtm6uCav\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&amp;quot;Messel Pit: Memorial commemorates forced labor&amp;quot; &#x2013; da.news\" data-secret=\"M5wtm6uCav\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/da.news\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_width":2066,"thumbnail_height":1377,"description":"UNESCO World Heritage Site Strengthens Remembrance Culture and Democratic History: The Messel Pit is increasingly focusing on its historical past. As those responsible announced, a memorial commemorating the victims of the former forced labor camp was inaugurated on April 13, 2026. In addition to remembering the approximately 300 people who were forced to work under the harshest conditions between 1940 and 1945, two further projects were presented: a new book publication and the inclusion of the Messel Pit in the network of \"Sites of German Democratic History.\" Memorial as a Visible Symbol of Remembrance: The new memorial is located in the immediate vicinity of the former camp and is intended to serve as a lasting reminder of the victims. The inauguration was made particularly significant by the presence of Janina Sulikowska-Wichman, who was born in the camp in 1944 and experienced the end of the war in Messel. Representatives from politics and academia emphasized the responsibility to make even the difficult chapters of history visible. Remembrance, they said, is an important foundation for democracy, human rights, and social awareness. Book Documents Industrial Past Parallel to the inauguration, the book \"Messel Pit, Paraffin and Mineral Oil Works \u2013 Photo Excursions by Kurt R\u00f6hrig\" was presented. The author is Franz-J\u00fcrgen Harms. Using historical photographs, the publication documents the industrial use of the pit before its current significance as a fossil site. The photographs depict a transitional phase after the Second World War and provide insights into the working world and structural change in the region. Site of Democratic History With its inclusion in the nationwide network of \"Sites of German Democratic History,\" the significance of the Messel Pit is underscored beyond its geological history. The engagement of civil society also plays a crucial role: In the 1980s, a citizens' initiative prevented the planned use of the pit as a landfill. Shortly thereafter, it was recognized as Germany's first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. New Exhibition Elements on Site Large-format photographs have been installed to further illuminate the site's history for visitors. Topics covered include National Socialism, mining, and the citizens' protests. With this, the Messel Pit expands its offerings to include a new focus on history, remembrance, and democracy. (DARMSTADT \u2013 RED\/PM) Featured image: Historical mining 1948\/49. Photo: WGM Archive \/ Kurt R\u00f6hrig"}