Italian prisoners in South Lower Saxony detained on 7th September

On September 7, 2025, a thought-provoking tour titled "Treated like Slaves. Italian Prisoners in South Lower Saxony" will take place at Godehardstraße 11, Göttingen. The event, starting at 2:30 PM, is part of the exhibition "On the Trail of European Forced Labor. South Lower Saxony 1939-1945".

The tour will focus on the stories of two Italian forced laborers, providing insights into their activities, the camps they were housed in, and the dangers they faced. The lives of these laborers before their deportation and their experiences after liberation will also be explored.

It is important to remember that during World War II, a large number of Italian soldiers refused to fight on the side of the National Socialists and Fascists. As a result, approximately 700,000 Italian soldiers were declared "Italian Military Internees" (IMI) and hundreds of thousands of civilians were captured. Many of these individuals were deported to Germany for forced labor.

The exhibition and the tour aim to shed light on this often overlooked aspect of history, offering a chance for visitors to learn more about the experiences of these Italian forced laborers. Admission to the exhibition and the tour is free, and donations are welcome.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, providing ample time for exploration and reflection. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about this important period, this event promises to be both informative and moving.

So, if you find yourself in Göttingen on September 7, 2025, we encourage you to take a step back in time and learn about the stories of these Italian forced laborers. Their experiences serve as a stark reminder of the darker chapters of our shared history, and the importance of remembering and learning from the past.