Blog post - 01. Sep 2026

Training Workshop for Educators on the Mülsen St. Micheln Concentration Camp Satellite Camp and the Death March

On August 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a training workshop was held for educators on the former Mülsen St. Micheln concentration camp satellite camp and its evacuation. The training focused on the historical examination of Nazi crimes at the site, our educational work with young people, and the question of how learning sites such as the textile factory can be used for political and historical education. The training took place as part of the “Zeitenblicke” project of the Brücke|Most Foundation.

The goal of the training was to convey historical information about the site and the events of that time, as well as to provide practical insights into our project work. The focus was on our work with young people and past youth history projects.

A primary focus was on the former site of the Mülsen St. Micheln concentration camp satellite camp: the textile factory on Otto-Boessneck-Straße. During a guided tour of the building, participants gained insights into the history of the site as well as the living and working conditions of the prisoners at that time. It became clear just how important visiting this historic site is for teaching history:

As a place of learning, it has a special impact, and simply experiencing the site firsthand can be a key factor in successful education.

In addition to the historical facts, we also presented our project. A key component of this is our various youth projects, which enable young people to engage independently with the history of the concentration camp satellite camp and the death march. The projects and their results demonstrate how young people can develop their own approach to history through research, creative methods, and engagement with local biographies. We used the training session as an opportunity to share our most important experiences in this area and to present our approach to the projects.

Another part of the training took the group along the historic death march route. In Bad Schlema, we made a longer stop and examined in detail the site of the execution and the memorial on Kohlweg. Here, too, the focus was not merely on conveying historical information, but specifically on the outcome of a youth history project: the informational plaque at the former sports field, which was designed and erected in 2025 on the initiative of a youth history group.

Given its symbolism, the monument on Kohlweg provides a special opportunity to critically examine the culture of remembrance. Here, too, we showed the outreach coordinators how we work with school classes on site and which topics are of particular importance to us in this context. The alternation between historical information, engagement with specific locations, and shared reflection highlighted the possibilities offered by place-based remembrance work.

In Eibenstock, we also met with the former mayor, Mr. Staab, who has supported the DenkMal project since its inception. During our conversation, it became clear how important long-term local commitment is for preserving and teaching history.

His involvement in the project also exemplifies the collaboration among various stakeholders who are committed to fostering a vibrant culture of remembrance. Especially when dealing with a topic such as the history of the Mülsen St. Micheln concentration camp satellite camp and the death march, this ongoing work and local commitment are of great importance.

The training session demonstrated that historical education is much more than simply conveying facts and figures. It thrives on places, personal stories, encounters, and people who take responsibility for preserving memory. Over the past two years, our project has created various opportunities to achieve this: It combines historical reappraisal with youth education and brings history to life right where it took place. The training thus offered participants not only a deeper insight into the history of the Mülsen St. Micheln concentration camp satellite camp and the death march, but also inspiration for their own educational work.