From January 23 to April 26, 2026, the Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus (FkWBH) present the project “Survived the Concentration Camp” featuring portraits by photographer Stefan Hanke. He photographed survivors of Nazi concentration camps from all still-reachable groups of persecuted people. In addition to portraits of Jewish survivors, Hanke also photographed Sinti and Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, former political prisoners, and other victims of persecution.

With empathy, Stefan Hanke photographed these survivors at the historical sites of their suffering and in their everyday lives. His individual compositions and the locations where the photographs were taken reflect the stories of his subjects. Hanke does not reduce the survivors to their former experiences as prisoners, but focuses on them as individuals.

Stefan Hanke traveled to a total of seven European countries and photographed 121 survivors. The exhibition at the Willy Brandt House now features 50 large-format portraits. Through the individual stories of those portrayed, visitors learn how the reign of terror and the atrocities of the National Socialists shaped people’s lives and how the victims continued to live with their suffering.

The book has been published in 2016 by Hatje Cantz.

Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus (FkWBH)

Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus was founded in 1996 as a non-profit association. Since the opening of Willy-Brandt-Haus, FkWBH has provided a varied free programme of events at the interface of culture and politics. In addition to the regular exhibitions, readings, discussions and film evenings are also offered to a wide audience.

Thursday, Jan 22, 2026, 7 pm (admission from 6:30 pm)
Opening reception
With Mirja Linnekugel (Artistic Director of the Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus e. V.), Dietmar Nietan (Chairman of FkWBH) and Stefan Hanke (Photographer).

Every first Thursday of the month, 2 – 3 pm
Guided tour (de)
Admission free | No registration | ID required.
Guided tour through one of the current exhibitions.
Individual appointments for groups can also be arranged: Daniela Zehe, bildung@freundeskreis-wbh.de
Details

Thursday, Mar 12, 2026, 6 – 7 pm
After-Work Guided Tour (de)
Exclusive guided tour of the current exhibitions after regular opening hours. The institution’s artistic director, Mirja Linnekugel, offers visitors the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the exhibited works in a relaxed atmosphere. This time, the tour will be led by photographer Stefan Hanke through his exhibition “Surviving the Concentration Camps. Portraits by Stefan Hanke”. Admission free | No registration | ID required.
Details

Sunday, Apr 26, 2026, 4 – 6 pm
Closing Event with Guided Tour (de)
At the close of the exhibition, photographer Stefan Hanke will lead a tour of his work. He will discuss details of how the portraits were created and provide historical context. Admission free | No registration | ID required.

Please check the FkWBH website for closing days and access regulations before your visit.