The objective of the White Rose Foundation membership association is to uphold the memory and legacy of the resistance group The White Rose against National Socialism. With that, we aim to contribute to civic courage and individual responsibility and to promote democratic consciousness.
The foundation hosts a permanent exhibition in the ‘DenkStätte Weiße Rose‘ in Munich as well as travelling exhibitions, events and educational historical projects about the White Rose and their resistance against the national socialist dictatorship. It is a special concern of ours to make the White Rose’s legacy meaningful in our day and time.
Statement regarding “White Rose UK” groupings and activities
The White Rose Foundation received outrageous news about a “White Rose UK” operating in England, Ireland and Holland, a group of persons who strictly refuse current measures to contain the Coronavirus pandemic. Vaccinations are likewise refused. The group’s name with reference to the White Rose resistance group is clearly intended to increase the credibility of these messages. We disapprove of this reference and see it as a deliberate misdirection. The White Rose resistance group courageously opposed the dictatorship of the National Socialist state with leaflets. Seven members of the group paid with their lives for their resistance, which was based on free expression of opinion.
The use of the good name of the White Rose resistance group is a deliberate misrepresentation in light of the historical facts, because protesting against measures enacted by the democratic state today is protected by law.
Dr. Hildegard Kronawitter, Chairwoman of the White Rose Foundation / Weiße Rose Stiftung e.V.
(09/08/2021)
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We also gratefully received the following statement from Dr. Alexandra Lloyd, lecturer in German at the University of Oxford and creater of Oxford University’s White Rose Project (White Rose Project – A research and engagement initiative at the University of Oxford, UK)
“The White Rose Project at the University of Oxford has been made aware of groups using the banner of the White Rose resistance circle to campaign against Covid-19 measures such as vaccination, lockdowns, and face coverings. These examples highlight precisely why the study of history and languages is so important: what for one individual will be an obvious source of encouragement and legitimation from a past movement, will be to another a reductive and appropriative historical parallel. I would always encourage people to read the writings of Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, Christoph Probst, Alexander Schmorell, Kurt Huber, Willi Graf, and others, in their pamphlets and personal correspondence. If we truly listen to their voices in a spirit of enquiry, we will find inspiration to make positive change in the world.”
The White Rose resistance group
The White Rose is one of the best-known German resistance groups against the national socialist dictatorship. Their thoughts and actions are a symbol of human dignity, freedom, justice, and self-dependent conscientious action.
DenkStätte Weiße Rose – The White Rose exhibition, LMU, Munich
Our permanent exhibition about the history of the White Rose and its resistance in times of Nazi terror and of criminal war. It is complemented by a section about how the White Rose has been remembered since 1943.
Visiting groups are asked to please give notice of their intended visit ahead of time (even when not booking a guided tour) because of the limited space inside the exhibition.
Travelling exhibitions
The White Rose Foundation makes available a travelling exhibition for partner organizations. The exhibition panels can be borrowed internationally in various languages. They provide information about the participants in the resistance circle, their actions, and the destruction of the White Rose as well as about life during national socialism.
Educational activities
The White Rose Foundation offers seminars for teachers, educational materials as well as guided tours and school projects. These activities are centered around questions such as: How can young people be made aware of the ideals of the White Rose today? What will happen in the era following that of the witnesses to history?
Events
Visit our events page for more information on current events and news related to the White Rose.