New Madame Tussauds Museum In Berlin Features Hitler

BERLIN — Madame Tussauds' has a new museum in Berlin _ complete with a controversial wax Adolf Hitler hunkered down in his bunker.

The likeness of the Nazi leader, hunched over a desk in a dimly lit bunker just before he committed suicide at the end of World War II, was one of dozens unveiled Thursday at the opening of the British wax museum's latest branch.

The waxworks here are showcased in chronological and thematic order, highlighting Europe's postwar history.

"We polled people in Berlin about how they want to have the exhibition, and the majority wanted historical and cultural background to the figures," museum spokeswoman Nathalie Ruoss said.

The reviled dictator sits beneath a map of Europe on the wall, monitoring the advance of allied troops from the east and west. Deep lines upon his wax forehead mark his desperate realization of his inevitable fall.

In front of a reproduction of the Berlin wall, a waxy John F. Kennedy stands next to a video showing his famous "I am a Berliner" speech. German political bigwigs like Willy Brandt and former East German leader Erich Hoenecker are also depicted.

There are living stars, too. Visitors can cuddle with singer Robbie Williams on a sofa during a glamorous party with other wax guests like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman.

Even in wax, the presence of Hitler in the capital's museum created a fuss in the German media, with critics expressing concern that including him violated the country's strict laws against reproducing Nazi symbols. But defenders argued his role in German history could not be ignored.

So visitors can touch and photograph the wax figures, except for Hitler. Two security guards and video cameras make sure nobody breaks the rule.

In a statement, the museum said Hitler's rule "stands for an important, though also appalling, turning point in the development of modern Europe" and stressed that Madame Tussauds is "nonpolitical."

Another wax Hitler stands in the original Madame Tussauds in London.

The museum, located on the busy Unter den Linden boulevard and near the capital's iconic Brandenburg Gate, opens to the public Saturday.

Comments

[MagisterLudi]

Hitler was a product of his time and environment. He wasn't a singular genius, anymore than Stalin or Mao were.
The conditions of Weimar Republic, WW1 terrible reparations, world-wide depression and German communist movement formed a perfect storm that pushed National Socialists over the top.
For those who don't know: Hitler was legitimately elected, at first.

[arvay]

We may look forward to a wax image of George W Bush depicted as he sent American troops into an illegal aggressive war. Perhaps the two images can make joint tours.

[Mort]

He should have been depicted just AFTER the suicide, not before.

[jukesgrrl]

This is an puzzling dilemma Germans face. I've been thinking about it a lot lately as I've been reading Philip Kerr's "Berlin Noir" trilogy.

One one hand, I can understand that Germans want to put that part of history behind them and no mention/image of Hitler would be favored. But by the same token, we all need to address the fact that that level of evil existed in a 20th century society that was highly advanced in culture, education, commerce, and technology. (Remind you of anyone?) When I've visited Germany, I've always walked around with that little voice in my head saying, "How could that have happened here?" The same thing occurred to me in Madrid as I thought, "These very tasteful people were killing each other in the streets in my grandparents' day." If people like Bush and Cheney studied history more, would things be different?

[MagisterLudi]

"Remind you of anyone?"

Actually, no, it doesn't.

Anyone attempting to equates modern U.S. with Third Reich makes the same mistake of "not studying history more."
Bush administration have committed some violations of U.S. Constitution, and invaded two country( ONE wrongly, one justifiably), to compare it to the evils of Nazi Germany betrays an appalling ignorance of 20th Century history.

[Eric8869]

It may be an extreme example but the Bush administration has acted in an extreme fascist way. Wiretapping, firing people for thier political beliefs, outing a CIA agent - if they could have gotten away with burning books and imprisoning those with left wing beliefs they WOULD have.

Reagan's administration let thousands of people die of AIDS while they looked the other way. Reagan was more Hitleresque in my view.

[pleeezzze]

Why not ,he's played a big part in our history ,same as George W did .
Noone will say it was good ,but it did happen .

[lisakaz2]

Scarier than almost anything ever dreamed up. I think this might be a necessary evil.

[haleywins]

Agreed, lest future generations forget.