Volkswagen is recognizing the exceptional achievements of 46 talented apprentices from 39 facilities in 19 countries. As part of this recognition, the winners of the “Best Apprentice Award” were given the opportunity to visit the exhibition “Flashes of Memory: Photography during the Holocaust” in Berlin. The exhibition is supported by Volkswagen and aligns with the company’s commitment to remembrance. The apprentices from the Wolfsburg region will also have the chance to visit the exhibition at the Museum für Fotografie in the near future.
During their visit to the museum, the group of apprentices participated in a guided tour of photographs and films that were captured during the Holocaust. These visual documents provide different perspectives of both the perpetrators and the victims, highlighting the importance of understanding the context behind the images. Another group of apprentices will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition in July. Many of these young individuals are currently undergoing apprenticeships at Volkswagen facilities in and around Wolfsburg, and some have already volunteered at the memorial site of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a former concentration and extermination camp.
Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Volkswagen AG for Human Resources and member of the Foundation Council of the International Youth Meeting Center in Auschwitz, emphasizes the significance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust: “The exhibition ‘Flashes of Memory’ plays a vital role in Volkswagen’s commitment to honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. It allows people to learn about this dark chapter in German history and serves as a reminder for future generations. Our apprentices will gain personal insights into the lives of people during that time and become ambassadors for a culture of remembrance that encompasses our responsibility in how we live together today and in the future.”
Dieter Landenberger, Head of Volkswagen Heritage Communications, welcomed the apprentices in Berlin and explained the importance of Volkswagen’s corporate culture of remembrance. For over 30 years, the Volkswagen Group has been collaborating with the International Auschwitz Committee and encouraging apprentices to volunteer in the preservation of the Auschwitz memorial site.
Daniela Cavallo, Chairwoman of the Group Works Council, expressed Volkswagen’s commitment to remembrance and responsibility: “Remembrance and responsibility are fundamental to Volkswagen’s corporate culture. We are incredibly proud of our young apprentices and their dedication to the memorial work at Auschwitz. Holocaust survivors frequently express their appreciation for the commitment shown by our young people. This commitment will always be a top priority for Volkswagen.”
The Volkswagen Group is a partner in the education program for the exhibition “Flashes of Memory: Photography during the Holocaust.” The exhibition has been on display at the Museum für Fotografie in Berlin since March 24, 2023. It features personal photographs from the Holocaust era and provides critical interpretations of their impact. Following its presentation at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the exhibition is now available at an international museum outside of Israel for the first time.