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Minister Brandes Opens HOLO-VOICES at Zeche Zollverein
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Minister for Culture and Science Ina Brandes inaugurated the exhibition HOLO-VOICES in Essen, which now enables a Europe-wide unique encounter with the virtual likeness of eyewitnesses and gives them a voice for eternity. The model for this was an installation at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Chicago, which the Minister had visited in summer 2024 during a delegation trip to research partners in the USA. Among those accompanying her at that time was TU Dortmund University President Professor Manfred Bayer, who supported the idea of creating such a place of remembrance and learning in North Rhine-Westphalia. Since then, TU Dortmund University has been the project lead for HOLO-VOICES, contributing interdisciplinary expertise on space design, technology, and interview work.
With the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein a suitable location was found – not only centrally situated within NRW but also attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and committed to remembrance culture. In Hall 8, a room with around 40 seats was built to host the holographic projection. On the surrounding floors, two accompanying exhibitions can be seen: one presents the biographies of eyewitnesses; the other sheds light on forced labor in mining. School classes in particular will be able to visit these exhibitions from now on, guided by members of the association ZWEITZEUGEN e.V.
Experiencing testimonies through digital technology
Initially, alongside Inge Auerbacher’s hologram, that of Kurt Salomon Maier is also featured in the exhibition. Both had been interviewed on camera several years ago by the German Exile Archive. A team from TU Dortmund University’s Institute of Journalism conducted additional interviews with Holocaust survivors that are currently being prepared for the exhibition. Among them is 90-year-old Eva Weyl, who attended the opening ceremony in Essen as guest of honor and tirelessly advocates remembrance of the Holocaust and humane coexistence through her visits to school classes. The interviews about her deportation to Westerbork camp were recorded last September at a studio at TU Dortmund University.
To achieve the hologram effect, recordings must be made with very high resolution and strong lighting. The video image of each person can then be projected onto stage via an invisible foil from below – using a technique known as Pepper’s Ghost. The AI system is used solely to select among many recorded answers those most appropriate to audience questions; it does not generate any new responses itself so that testimonies remain authentic and unaltered. The eyewitnesses themselves determine how many questions are asked during their interviews – and which ones.
Voices on HOLO-VOICES
Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, stated: “The experience and impression of a personal encounter with Holocaust survivors are irreplaceable. Yet many of the survivors are now 90 years old or older. They will not be able to tell us their stories for much longer. That is why, with HOLO-VOICES, we are creating an opportunity to continue engaging in dialogue with survivors of the Shoah in the future – to learn what happened to them and what lessons we can draw from it today.”
Eyewitness Eva Weyl said: “Modern technology using AI is fantastic. This way I can help ensure that history is preserved. Especially to young people I want to say: You must know the past so that peace can be maintained. Help fight against intolerance, disrespect, and degradation. And talk about what you experience at HOLO-VOICES. Tell your parents, discuss it at home – and be humane!”
Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, added: “As a leading center for AI research, we contribute our expertise with great commitment to make a lasting dialogue between young people and Holocaust witnesses possible. For us, HOLO-VOICES has become an interdisciplinary research project. Experts from journalism and AI work hand in hand with historians to create a valuable contribution against antisemitism and racism.”
Given the outstanding social significance of this project, several supporters could be secured for HOLO-VOICES: The RAG Foundation, the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation, and the Brost Foundation together cover around 35 percent of total costs amounting to approximately €3.2 million. The remaining funding is provided by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. The licenses for the videos featuring Inge Auerbacher and Kurt Maier are provided to the project by the German National Library and the Shoah Foundation.
Visiting the Exhibition
In addition to the holograms themselves, HOLO-VOICES also includes the exhibition “Frag nach!” (Ask!) about the lives of Inge Auerbacher and Kurt Salomon Maier by the German Exile Archive 1933–1945 at the German National Library. Furthermore, there is an exhibition curated by ZWEITZEUGEN e.V. titled “Unter Tage – Unter Zwang ” (Underground – Under Compulsio), which addresses forced labor in coal mining.
Admission to HOLO-VOICES and its accompanying exhibitions is free of charge. Individual visitors may attend daily between 12 noon and 6 p.m.; group visits, guided tours, and workshops (for example for school classes) must be booked in advance via a form on the website.
Opening of HOLO-VOICES
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NRW Minister Ina Brandes (second from right) with Holocaust survivors Wolfgang Polak (second from left) and Eva Weyl (center), as well as sponsors Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia (left, RAG Foundation) and Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ursula Gather (right, Krupp Foundation). -
Eyewitness and Holocaust survivor Eva Weyl urged in her address to stand up against intolerance, disrespect, and degradation. -
At the entrance to the screening room, TU Dortmund University President Manfred Bayer and NRW Minister for Culture and Science Ina Brandes welcomed a school class to the first presentation. -
Projected hologram of Inge Auerbacher sharing her story as a Holocaust survivor. -
As a hologram, Kurt Salomon Maier recounts his experiences during the Nazi regime. -
Minister Ina Brandes presented the concept behind the exhibition, in which honorary guest Eva Weyl will soon also be represented as a hologram. -
In Hall 8, alongside HOLO-VOICES, two accompanying exhibitions are on display. -
The accompanying exhibition “Ask!” presents biographies of participating eyewitnesses. -
HOLO-VOICES and the accompanying exhibitions are housed in Hall 8 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein. -
The accompanying exhibition “Underground – Under Compulsion” explores forced labor in coal mining. -
Minister Ina Brandes opened the HOLO-VOICES exhibition in Essen, which now offers a unique opportunity across Europe to encounter virtual representations of eyewitnesses.
Further Voices
“In North Rhine-Westphalia, we resolutely oppose antisemitism. It is our task and responsibility to keep alive the memory of the victims and survivors of the Shoah – even more than 80 years later. With unique projects such as HOLO-VOICES, we give Holocaust survivors a voice for the future as well. The use of innovative digital tools and artificial intelligence opens up new ways of encounter and can reach young people in a lasting way. Our goal is to enable all pupils to visit a concentration camp or an NS memorial site during their school years. Places of remembrance are indispensable for making history tangible and conveying responsibility for the present and future. The HOLO-VOICES project impressively complements the already broadly established network of NS memorials and places of remembrance in North Rhine-Westphalia.”
“Jewish people must feel safe at all times and everywhere in North Rhine-Westphalia. At a time when antisemitism is growing at an alarming rate, this hologram project stands as a beacon. I am deeply grateful to Minister Brandes and all project partners for preserving the memories of Shoah survivors for future generations and making them vividly accessible. HOLO-VOICES shines as a symbol for dialogue and solidarity within our society.”
“The history of the Nazi dictatorship, the issue of forced labor in German coal mining, and the horrific events and consequences of the Holocaust must never be forgotten. For this reason, we are convinced of this important cooperative project: it provides especially young audiences with an immersive and powerful insight into the suffering caused not only by the Shoah but also by forced labor in German coal mining. The messages conveyed by this extraordinary exhibition are more important than ever: young people need to be informed and sensitized against an increasingly right-wing radicalization within our society. Courageous commitment is required against resurging antisemitism. Through this significant joint project, we invest in knowledge about freedom and democracy – as well as in attitude, education, and humanity!”
“The HOLO-VOICES project is particularly dear to us because it enables young people to experience history up close in an impressive way – allowing them to derive responsible action for shaping the future. The Krupp Foundation has always regarded it as part of its mission to keep the culture of remembrance alive and to contribute to tolerance and mutual understanding.”
“HOLO-VOICES does not strike a commemorative pose. The project stands for education and enlightenment. Holograms keep speaking when witnesses have long fallen silent. This is more than technology — it is no memorial, but rather resistance against ignorance and forgetting. We must know what happened; otherwise we fail to see what may return. Education is knowledge for survival.”
“We are pleased to contribute to the learning and educational environment at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein through “Frag nach!”. At a time when antisemitism is once again gaining strength and voices calling for an end to remembrance are becoming louder, it is a strong and important message that Minister Brandes has launched this project.”
“The personal life stories of Holocaust survivors help especially younger generations to grasp history and inspire them to take an active stand against antisemitism and discrimination today. HOLO-VOICES builds a bridge into the future — keeping personal memories vivid and accessible. We are proud to contribute to this exceptional project through our educational programs for young people and adults, helping to sustain a vibrant culture of remembrance.”