In the present situation, the presidium of the International Auschwitz Committee has decided to award its “B sculpture” to the mayor of the city of Zwickau, Dr Pia Findeiss. The statue echoes the letter B in the inscription ARBEIT MACHT FREI (work makes you free) which the SS ordered prisoners to manufacture and install above the main gate of Auschwitz concentration camp. In an act of outrage and resistance, the prisoners secretly inverted the letter B in the metal sign.

Since 2010, the statue has been awarded to public figures who take a notable stand against anti-Semitic and right-wing extremist hatred, and promote peaceful and respectful co-existence in a democratic society. Recipients of the award include Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Shimon Peres (while President of Israel), Pope Francis, Ban Ki-moon (while Secretary-General of the United Nations), Prince Charles (heir to the British throne), Sigmar Gabriel and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The statue is produced by Volkswagen trainees.

Commenting in Berlin on the award to Mayor Findeiss, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee said:

“The survivors of the Holocaust are grateful to Pia Findeiss for her decisive and encouraging stand against right-wing hatred and for the diversity of democracy. Her example radiates far beyond the city of Zwickau. Pia Findeiss symbolizes many local politicians in Germany who refuse to be intimidated by the hatred and aggressiveness of right-wing extremism on the streets and the Internet. She has become the face of all tolerant and open-minded citizens in Zwickau and stands for the fellowship of all democrats.”

The award will be presented to Pia Findeiss on 19 November 2019, at 1 pm in the main hall of the Robert Schumann Haus in Zwickau.