Should visitors to Auschwitz pay an entrance fee?

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Apr 30, 10, 22:18 #61

Since I hear so many of my original points concerning this matter in this thread coming back, I will quote my first post, just in case anyone missed it.

MareGaea:

I would agree to an entrance fee. After all, Auschwitz rises above Poland and the rest of the world as a monument and testimony of how cruel mankind can actually be. I have no problem as such to pay a tenner (Euro that is) to get in as long as the money is well spent on maintaining the buildings and, if pssble, improving documentation for visitors, paying the guides, etc. I don't think the Polish taxpayers should pay for this; after all, it's not their fault that Auschwitz is on Polish territory. So yes, good idea. Only objection could pssbly be that it should be accessible for everybody (a bit like the UK and Irish museums) in order to grasp a bit of history and "cultural" inheritance. But in that case, I think it should be jointly paid by all the members of the EU.

And don't forget: you heard it first on M-G radio :))

>^..^<

M-G (has to meet a bunch of Spaniards now, I hope it will be hotties, but I'm afraid it will be only men :S )

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	May 1, 10, 08:24 #62
BubbaWoo: as uncomfortable as it might make you feel, auschwitz is poland's leading tourist site yet, the mods didn't get that. oh well

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Edited by: skysoulmate May 1, 10, 08:38 #63

Mr Grunwald:

*cries about Norway being ignored*
Why remember Sweden?! WHY?! :((

I think they simply mentioned the countries and left out the provinces of those countries... LOL

Jag skämtar bara… ;)

plk123:

yet, the mods didn't get that. oh well

I see your point plk and I realize that today it's a huge tourist attraction but I think some people might think it's distasteful. I like to think of Auschwitz (and other concentration camps) as historical monuments of the-very-worst humankind failings.

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May 1, 10, 12:00 #64

guzzler:

no enterance fee or no car park charge just a little shop that sold post cards and books

And now because of the number of tourists coming there is a multi million pound culloden experience centre which downplays much of the horror, staff dressed as redcoats, car parking charges, souvinier shops, kids stuff etc etc

An entrance fee to Auschwitz could be the start of turning the "Auschwitz Experience" in to something kitsch.

grubasThreads: 20 Posts: 1,452 Joined: Feb 1, 10 ♂	May 1, 10, 12:31 #65
Since we already have this "Polish concentration camp" we should make some $$$ out of it.Entrance fee for foraigners 30 Pln(Polish citizens free),guides extra,souvenir shop and whatever else that can make us $$$.I wish they let me run this place.

♂ [Moderator]

May 1, 10, 12:45 #66

grubas:

Since we already have this "Polish concentration camp" we should make some $$$ out of it.Entrance fee for foraigners 30 Pln(Polish citizens free),guides extra,souvenir shop and whatever else that can make us $$$.I wish they let me run this place.

I don't know how serious your comment is.

I believe Auschwitz is becoming a tourist destination. It has become a must see place, a place to be crossed off on the places to visit list.

One should feel a need to visit and be prepared to spend hours taking it all in. Otherwise it's pointless walking through the gate.

Those who have the willingness to to learn will no doubt have no problem paying for upkeep.

Alternatively, those who have seen and learnt may be willing to donate when they exit.

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,999 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	May 1, 10, 15:33 #67
Entrance fee for foraigners 30 Pln(Polish citizens free), what about citizens of Isreal?

time meansThreads: 9 Posts: 2,306 Joined: Apr 21, 08 ♂	May 1, 10, 15:35 #68
grubas: we should make some $$$ out of it. You already do. They are called tourists.

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May 1, 10, 15:48 #69

TheOther:

No, I didn't mean tourist attraction in the sense of 'amusement park'. More like a must-see destination in Poland where people somewhat forget what it was all about.

Just like Wrocław said, I think it already has boceme a tourist destination. Cracow - Wieliczka - Auschwitz are top must see-ers when it comes to Polish tourist atractions.

As for the initial question:

BubbaWoo:

poland has for many years provided the vast majority of funding for auschwitz but many believe, understandably, that this responsibility should fall to germany

others are arguing that visitors should pay an entrance fee and that this money should be used for the memorial’s upkeep

what are your thoughts?

I don't think that we Poles have the right to point fingers and demand who should pay for the up-keep of the camp. I mean, why should todays germans pay for it? The only people, however, that should pay for it are those that still take profit from it's existance. And it should be done valunteerly. If Polish or Israeli government have the desire to build their nations national identity on this tradegy than they should pay...

MEMBER ♂

May 1, 10, 19:11 #70

grubas:

I wish they let me run this place.

I bet you do, its a no brainer. Entrance fee job done.

Personally i think they should charge a small entrance fee, i was surprised the first time i visted that it was free or perhaps set up a web site based charity. You'd think many would donate and i repeat you'd think.

I was there recently and the main camp Auschwitz is in excellent condition, (they just dont make them like that anymore) Auschwitz II - Birkenau is the one thats falling apart.

POLENGGGsThreads: 5 Posts: 211 Joined: Apr 26, 10 ♂	May 29, 10, 08:35 #71
what about the town of Oświęcim, I bet it is in tip-top shape ?

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May 29, 10, 13:11 #72

1jola:

There are Holocaust museums popping up like mushrooms, and there seems to be always money for that. KL Auschwitz is the main museum and there is no interest from the Jewish side, yet they are very vocal what should be there.

The new museum for the "Jewish contribution to Poland" that is being built in Warsaw is paid for by Germany, Poland and a number of Jewish foundations. This museum will be run as a business and financed by revenues as well as donations. Auschwitz is a reminder to future generations of what happens when it all goes wrong. So the place needs to be preserved, as for who foots the bill those who wish it to be preserved.

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May 29, 10, 16:02 #73

I think group tours could be paid for, although perhaps a special deal if it is an educational establishment. Or, perhaps limited entry to the camp for free and special entry to exhibitions charged.

Perhaps a photograph charge could be introduced (although hard to enforce). It might be quite proftiable income from all those grinning tourists standing making peace signs under the 'arbeit macht frei' sign.

Marek11111Threads: 49 Posts: 1,954 Joined: Aug 6, 09 ♂	May 30, 10, 03:47 #74
set two rates resident rate $5 and non resident $15 picture taking rates $10 and filming $50 use the money to keep the complex open and the rest use to send aid to Palestinians

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	May 30, 10, 05:16 #75
Marek11111: set two rates resident rate $5 and non resident $15 i don't think that past residents of the camp should pay anything.. everyone else though, is another story.

internaldialogThreads: 9 Posts: 425 Joined: Apr 25, 10 ♀	Edited by: internaldialog May 30, 10, 11:12 #76
Trevek: I think group tours could be paid for, although perhaps a special deal if it is an educational establishment. i believe they already do this for group tours and educational establishments. Trevek: grinning tourists standing making peace signs under the 'arbeit macht frei' sign. ive never seen grinning tourist there.

1jolaThreads: 33 Posts: 2,737 Joined: Sep 23, 08 ♂	May 30, 10, 11:18 #77
internaldialog: ive never seen grinning tourists there You haven't been to the March of the Living then.

internaldialogThreads: 9 Posts: 425 Joined: Apr 25, 10 ♀	May 30, 10, 11:26 #78
1jola: You haven't been to the March of the Living then. No i havent been to that and personally when i respect the dead i dont grin about it but thats just me

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