The Urgent Lessons of Stutthof: David Lynch's Take on Memory and Evil

Confronting the Past: A Personal Journey

When I was nine years old, my grandfather took me to the museum at the former Stutthof concentration camp near Gdansk in Poland. His memories flooded back as we crossed that gate—raw emotions burst forth. Seeing him cry and shout, it was clear that the past is not easily forgotten, especially when it is steeped in trauma.

Learning from Our History

Institutions like Stutthof aim to educate visitors about one of history's darkest periods. However, as I observed, many individuals step away from such sites feeling detached. Learning facts and dates alone does little to instill a lasting moral lesson. A troubling pattern emerges: people leave believing that evil is merely a specter of the past, thus discounting their current societal roles.

“Visitors often learn that evil has been conquered, and we are different. This notion acts as a comforting balm, shielding them from the uncomfortable realities of today's world.”

Redefining Memory Through Art

Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest marks a pivotal shift in how we visualize the Holocaust. This Oscar-winning film portrays the banality of evil through the lens of everyday life—the quiet domesticity of the commandant's family juxtaposed with the atrocities of the camp. It makes visible the proximity of normality and horror, forcing us to reconsider our understanding of complicity.

A Call for Reflection

Across Europe, similar dialogues are unfolding. At Sachsenhausen, for example, the former commandant's residence has become part of an educational initiative. At Bełżec, it serves as a research center. Each site grapples with confronting their distinct narratives without dismissing the lessons of the past.

The Villa Next Door

At Stutthof, the commandant's house remains largely unnoticed. Built by prisoners, it now serves as housing for several families, starkly contrasting its location next to where around 65,000 individuals were murdered. It challenges us: how can we honor memory without causing distress to the current residents?

Moving Forward: The Responsibility of Remembrance

Change at the museum level could be beneficial, especially after a shake-up in leadership. A thorough public dialogue regarding the use of historical sites is essential. Should we reconstruct digitally? Conduct extensive archival research? Or simply appreciate that some spaces might remain untouched to avoid harm?

Learning from Lynch

David Lynch's Twin Peaks spins horror into the domestic landscape, subtly showing how evil permeates everyday life. It presents a crucial lesson: often, institutions oversimplify evil by setting it behind glass, distancing audiences from the uncomfortable truths that lie close to home.

This juxtaposition calls for reflection on our personal roles in the fabric of society. We may wish to consider ourselves on the side of good, but how willing are we to confront the finer lines of complicity?

The Bigger Picture

As we witness ongoing atrocities across the globe—be it in Ukraine, Gaza, or Sudan—we face the dual challenge of remaining sensitive yet adaptive to suffering. With each passing day, we must ask ourselves who the true bystanders are. Are we merely passive witnesses, or do we actively engage against the policies that enable ongoing violence?

Conclusion

The commandant's villas can function not merely as relics of accusation, but as spaces for introspection. The dialogue surrounding these places has the potential to stimulate a deeper understanding of how violence nests within normalcy. To truly learn from history, we must consistently ask difficult questions about our responsibilities today.

• Grzegorz Kwiatkowski is a writer and musician, and a member of the band Trupa Trupa.