Scores of tourists streamed into the Memorium Nuremberg Trials in Germany on the 80th anniversary of the historic proceedings, drawn by a shared desire to understand how remembering the past can shape education and safeguard the future.
The Memorium Nuremberg Trials in Germany, which stands on the original site of the judgment since 2010, exhibits a great deal of historical photos, documents and video records of the 216 trials held in 1945 and 1946.
The trials, held between November 1945 and October 1946, prosecuted prominent members of Nazi Germany's political, military, judicial and economic leadership who planned, carried out or participated in the Holocaust and other war crimes during World War II.
"The Memorium Nuremberg Trials was finally completed here in 2010. We initially received around 20,000 to 30,000 visitors each year. Now, the number of visitors we receive annually is approximately 160,000. The significant increase in the number is indeed a challenge, but of course, it also confirms the importance of this memorial method," said Axel Fischer, a research associate at the Memorium Nuremberg Trials.
Among the visitors, there are both young and older generations.
Fisher said many schools organized students to visit the place for on-site study and the history of the Nuremberg trials should be given more attention in education. Many visitors also expressed that remembering history is very important for the education of the next generation.
"We always thought that Nuremberg was an important place. So coming here and seeing all these pictures, listening to the memories of people that were present at that time, is for us something very important, because it is still reminding us where we are coming from. And I hope that even can teach something to our children. Maybe not today, but maybe when they will be a little bit older. Maybe they can understand what you don't have to do, if you want to become part of a history on the wrong side. And what you have to do if you want to grow and be able to live with the others in peace," said an Italian visitor.
"Honestly, a very powerful one [exhibition]. It's something that we need to remember and something that we need to keep in mind, especially regarding things going on today," said a visitor from Romania.
Germany's memorial hall refreshes visitors' memories of WWII
Germany's memorial hall refreshes visitors' memories of WWII
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
