Woman sparks outrage by posing on train tracks at Auschwitz – as museum urges visitors to ‘respect the memory’ of the 1.1 million murdered at the site
The Auschwitz Museum has reminded visitors to respect the 1.1 million people who died in the camp by not taking pictures in a specific pose.
It comes after a photo of a woman on the Auschwitz site went viral on Twitter.
In the photo, taken and shared by Maria Murphy, the anonymous woman is shown sitting on the track that carried some 1.1 million people (including 1 million Jews) to their deaths in the camp.
She sits in a casual pose, leaning back and smiling broadly, holding her hair back from her face with one of her hands.
In the caption to the image, posted April 15, Maria wrote, “Today I had one of the most poignant experiences of my life.
An anonymous woman (pictured) has sparked a discussion online after a photo went viral of her smiling and posing on the railway that once carried 1.1 million people, including 1 million Jews, to their deaths in Auschwitz.
“Unfortunately, not everyone there seemed to find it so poignant.”
In a later tweet, she added: “We were repeatedly asked to be mindful and respectful.
“You would think that things like this shouldn’t be specified as a no-go for those criteria.”
The post, which has been viewed about 30 million times, received a response from the Auschwitz Museum account.
It read: ‘Photos can have enormous emotional and documentary value for visitors. Images help us remember.
When visitors come to @AuschwitzMuseum, they should expect to enter the authentic site of the former camp where more than 1 million people were murdered.
“Respect their memory.”
Other Twitter users also took to the post to share their thoughts on the post.
The memorial account posted a comment reminding people to be respectful o
American news anchor Lina de Florias wrote, “Who…would even think of doing this??? It’s stomach cramps.’
Another tweeted: “Shocking. Do they even know where they are!’
And another Twitter user wrote, “I can’t believe you have to tell grown adults to behave and be respectful.
“This should be common sense.”
Countless Twitter users responded to the post to share their shock and disappointment at the photo
Speak against VICE World NewsPawel Sawicki, of the Auschwitz Memorial and museum press team, described such incidents as “rather isolated.”
However, he added that the team “believes we have an obligation to respond,” no matter how rare the events are.
He added: “Last year about 90 percent of our visitors were shown around.
‘The teachers make visitors aware of the character and symbolism of the place where they are.
“If we see inappropriate behavior, we respond. This is our duty.’