May 24th 2024.
The recent appearance of Nazi re-enactors dressed as members of the SS, the notorious perpetrators of the Holocaust, has caused quite a stir. This controversial display has sparked outrage, especially since it is illegal to wear Nazi uniforms and display symbols like swastikas in Germany, yet it was allowed at a supposedly family-friendly event in the UK. Who would have thought that such a thing could happen?
The event in question was a two-day festival held in Nottinghamshire, meant to commemorate the local Sherwood community's role in World War II. The festivities included activities such as dancing like it's the 1940s, learning how to cook with rationed ingredients, and enjoying live music in the courtyard. It was advertised as a chance to celebrate, remember, and reminisce about the war years. The event also featured a Holocaust exhibition, offering attendees a glimpse into life on the home front and an opportunity to learn about Allied military tactics during Operation Market Garden.
However, things took a dark turn when social media users noticed that Nazi flags were being sold at the event and that some attendees were dressed in Nazi uniforms while carrying pints of beer. Many of these uniforms were reminiscent of the Waffen SS, a branch of the German army that played a significant role in the mass extermination of Jewish people and other groups during the Holocaust. Understandably, this caused outrage among critics, with one calling it "genocide cosplay."
Dr. Waitman Beorn, an expert on the Holocaust and a history professor at Northumbria University, pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that the Waffen SS made up only a small percentage of the German army during World War II, yet they seemed to make up a significant portion of the re-enactors at the event.
Some attendees went beyond wearing Nazi uniforms and ventured into even more disturbing territory. One woman was photographed with blonde pigtails and a grey uniform resembling that of concentration camp guards or the SS Helferinnen, who worked at Auschwitz. Another vendor was seen selling war flags from Nazi Germany's army.
It's worth mentioning that the display of Nazi propaganda and symbols has been banned in Germany since the end of World War II. This includes the public display of swastikas and the wearing of SS uniforms. However, in the UK, it is only illegal to do so during the wartime years of 1939 to 1945. Despite this, the "family-friendly" event still featured a 20-minute re-enactment of a WWII battle and allowed vendors to sell Nazi memorabilia.
Dan Kaszeta, a defence expert at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, referred to the event as "genocide cosplay." In a post on social media, he stated that dressing up as "bad people" in public is unnecessary and problematic, as it brings out the worst in people. He also pointed out that we don't see people re-enacting slave ships or Klan rallies, even though they also happened in history. He concluded by saying, "So cut it out with the SS shite. SS cosplaying is like blackface. They are just wrong."
Despite the backlash, the event's organisers, the Spirit of Wartime Sherwood Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, defended the event. In a statement, their CEO, Patrick Candler, stated that the event was part of a broader four-year project aimed at uncovering and sharing the impact of the Second World War on the Sherwood Forest area and its communities. He added that the event was a success, with over 7,000 attendees and many positive comments from visitors who wanted a similar event in the future.
However, it's worth noting that some attendees felt uncomfortable with the presence of Nazi uniforms and symbols at the event. Some even questioned whether Jewish people would feel safe attending such an event. The National Lottery Heritage Fund said that they were reviewing their approach with Spirit of Sherwood after being contacted by concerned individuals.
The event management company, Bainbridge Events, and the venue, Thoresby Park, both refused to comment on the matter. However, the Spirit of Wartime Sherwood Project stated that the event's aim was to educate and that all living history groups had to provide a statement detailing their educational element to be allowed to attend. They also claimed that there were no negative responses from attendees on the day, and they would be conducting a full evaluation of the event.
Despite their claims, some attendees were dressed in historically inaccurate uniforms, such as one person wearing a communist East German uniform and another wearing a t-shirt with the SS symbol. When asked about the educational purpose of these uniforms and the sale of Nazi memorabilia, the Spirit of Wartime Sherwood Project declined to comment. It's unclear whether they will address these concerns in the future.
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