Through empirical observation of visitor behavior at the Majdanek State Museum, this ongoing research paper analyzes how different demographic groups interact with the physical remains of the camp. It contrasts secular, educational tourism with descendant pilgrimage, exploring structural differences in spatial engagement, physical movement, and soundscapes.
"For the non-Jewish visitor, the gaze is external and educational. For Jewish visitors, the encounter is dialogic and interactive; they are not merely observing history—they are carrying out a duty of memory (Zakor) and active mourning in what they recognize to be a mass grave."
Key Areas of Investigation:
- Acoustics of Mourning: The introduction of traditional Hebrew liturgy, the Kaddish prayer, and spontaneous national songs within public commemorative spaces.
- Tactile Memorialization: The ritual of leaving small stones, memorial candles, or personal tokens on physical relics, shifting the space from static museum display to active tomb.
- Institutional Tension: Balancing museum preservation protocols with the emotional, unscripted religious rites of legacy groups.
To discuss this research further or invite Lidia to speak at a conference or educational workshop, please reach out via the contact form.