Museums: Digital exhibition on the Schocken department store chain

The State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz (smac) is offering a free digital exhibition titled "Closed Due to Aryanization," shedding light on the history of the prominent Schocken department store chain. The museum itself is housed in the former Schocken department store building in Chemnitz, underscoring its connection to the legacy it aims to preserve and interpret.

Founded in Zwickau by brothers Simon and Salman Schocken in the early 20th century, the Schocken chain grew to become one of Germany's largest retailers. However, their success was tragically cut short due to their Jewish heritage. In 1938, the National Socialists confiscated the company's assets as part of their systematic persecution of Jewish citizens and businesses.

The digital exhibition delves into two main aspects: the department store chain and its numerous locations across Saxony, and the Nazi regime's persecution of the enterprise. Through archival documents and newspaper clippings, the exhibition provides insights into the company's headquarters in Zwickau and its eleven stores situated in various Saxon towns, including Aue, Freiberg, and Meißen. Topics such as the company's advertising strategies, the distinctive architecture of its buildings, and the Schocken family's personal history are also explored.

Museum Director Sabine Wolfram emphasized the museum's responsibility to preserve, analyze, and communicate this significant historical heritage. The exhibition is presented as a contribution to the current Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony, aiming to educate the public about this crucial, yet often overlooked, chapter of German commercial and social history.

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The museum itself is housed in the former Schocken department store building in Chemnitz. Thus, the responsibility goes hand in hand to preserve, process, and mediate this heritage.