University of Northampton launches Detlef Mühlberger Collection to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

A poignant ceremony and archive collection launch was held earlier this week (Monday 27 January) at the University of Northampton to highlight the importance of remembering atrocities to prevent the rise of the Far Right.

Students and staff from the University of Northampton gathered alongside local faith leaders to remember those who perished in the Holocaust as part of the formal celebrations of Holocaust Memorial Day.

The event further launched the Detlef Mühlberger Collection, a unique collection of material from the Nazi period, detailing individuals involved in the Nazi party and exploring the question of who joined the party, why and some of the cultures that drove them.

The unique collection is significant to furthering historical research as it explores the history behind Detlef Mühlberger’s work and explores not only just how his research was done, but also his teaching methods. The collection includes material and information which can only be accessed by physically visiting German state archives, and includes original documents copies which have intrinsic archival value and fills important gaps in existing archive collections in far-right history.

The University of Northampton’s Vice Chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday introduced the collection as a former research mentee of Mühlburger, followed by a moving speech by Mühlburger’s daughter, Tania who spoke of him as a researcher and as her father.

Professor in the History of Radicalism and Extremism, Paul Jackson discussed the value of the collection and its important role in the future of teaching at the University of Northampton, with Searchlight Archivist and Researcher Daniel Jones discussing the integration of Mühlberger’s collection into the University’s existing archive.

The University’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy team also coordinated a stone-laying ceremony at Waterside Campus, which saw attendees place a stone under the Anne Frank and Stephen Lawrence Memorial Tree.

Dr Paul Jackson, who organised the event, said: “Remembering the Holocaust remains as important as ever. It’s equally important that we honour the survivors of the Nazi genocide and make sure we use this memory to reflect on challenging prejudice and discrimination today.

“In the past twelve months, extreme right groups in America and Europe have found new ways to promote their anti-Semitic and Nazi-inspired ideas, which seem to be becoming more normalised once again; something very concerning for our future.

“The launch of Detlef Mühlberger’s collection is huge in ensuring research continues at strength on the history of the Far Right, as we collectively work towards a brighter, more informed future where atrocities of this scale remain only in our history textbooks.”

More information on the collections available as part of the University of Northampton’s archive is available via the website.