The original records of Rudolf Höss, camp commandant of Ausschwitz.
The text shows in a frightening way the "normality" of the perpetrators, who speak of cruel mass murder as their daily work and repeatedly claim not to be brutes but loving family fathers......
Jürg Amann has condensed the notes that Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höß wrote down before his execution into a monstrous monologue. This reading locks the listener into the mind of a mass murderer.
"In the face of reality, all invention is obscene. Especially where you can have reality. Even if it is denied again and again. Then even more so." -Jürg Amann
Program:
Part 1: Reading "The Commander" with Silvia Klemm
Part 2: Epilogue From Sachsenburg to Auschwitz with Gisela Heiden (Chairwoman of the Lagerarbeitsgemeinschaft KZ Sachsenburg e.V.) and Anna Schüller (Chairwoman of the Geschichtswerkstatt Sachsenburg e.V.)
The aim of the Fritz Theater Chemnitz is to bring this truly unbelievable and unfortunately true story to as large an audience as possible, also and especially as a warning example of how quickly supposedly good things can turn into something terrible. Supported by an atmospheric light and sound installation, this monstrous text, read by the actress Silvia Klemm with her powerful and expressive voice, casts a spell over the audience.
The former Sachsenburg concentration camp seems to be the ideal place to present this text. After all, Sachsenburg can be described as one of many training and learning centers for the training of future Nazi henchmen, who then carried out their cruel service in all kinds of concentration camps. From 1933 onwards, the prisoners in Sachsenburg were used to invent, test and perfect all forms of torture, humiliation, solitary confinement, corporal punishment and its effects. The venue will be one of three dormitories, each of which was occupied by 500 to 600 prisoners.
Thanks to Marcell Hett, owner of the factory, for his support and for making the premises available.
"Funded by the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony. This measure is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament."