Ernst Schäfer
The Weimar photographer and photojournalist accompanied the remembrance of Buchenwald concentration camp with his camera since 1946. He also documented the inauguration of the GDR's National Memorial on 14 September 1958. (From: Buchenwald digital photo archive)

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Commemoration of the inauguration ceremony in the bell tower of the Buchenwald National Memorial, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
© Buchenwald Memorial

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Participants in the inauguration ceremony of the Buchenwald National Memorial in the courtyard of the crematorium. In the center of the photo, from left to right: Erich Mückenberger, member of the Central Committee of the SED; Walter Ulbricht, Chairman of the Council of State of the GDR; Rosa Thälmann, widow of Ernst Thälmann, who was murdered in Buchenwald, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
©Buchenwald Memorial

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Thälmann commemoration in the crematorium courtyard at the inauguration ceremony of the Buchenwald National Memorial, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
©Buchenwald Memorial

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Participants of the opening ceremony, in the background the Street of Nations, the fire bowls of the pylons are lit, 1958. photo: Ernst Schäfer.
©Buchenwald Memorial

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Inauguration ceremony of the Buchenwald National Memorial, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
© Buchenwald Memorial

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Participants in the opening ceremony of the National Memorial at the foot of the Tower of Liberty, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
©Buchenwald Memorial

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Inauguration ceremony of the Buchenwald National Memorial. Large rally at the bell tower. In the background the sculpture by Fritz Cremer, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
©Buchenwald Memorial

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Participants in the large rally at the bell tower for the inauguration ceremony of the Buchenwald National Memorial, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer. ©Buchenwald Memorial

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High-ranking participants of the opening ceremony of the National Memorial examine the sculpture by Fritz Cremer, 1958, placed on the Platz der Freiheit. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
© Buchenwald Memorial
© Buchenwald Memorial

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Memorial stone in the former prisoners' camp at the opening of the National Memorial, 1958. Photo: Ernst Schäfer.
© Buchenwald Memorial
© Buchenwald Memorial