Opening date: 16th Apr 2009
Author: Branka Prpa, PhD
Realization: Evica Micković, Milena Radojčić, Jelena Nikolić, Vladimir Mijatović
Visualization: engineer architect Bojana Đurović
Graphic design: Dragana Lacmanović
Banjica Concentration camp, "death factory" set on the edge of Belgrade city, recived first prisoners on 9 July 1941 and almost 30. 000 people of different nationalities, occupations, ages, political views passed through it until it was put out of function on 3 October 1944... All together 4.286 prisoners died.
What made Banjica Concentration camp special in terms of organizational was existence of two internal command and also the division of jurisdiction between collaborationist forces and camp administration which was led by Germans. The division on 'Serbian' and 'German' part of the camp wasn't implemented for practical reasons and it wasn't a sign of two different administration equality. 'German' part of the camp was under direct command of Gestapo. It was them to have the last word in making decisions on the fate of prisoners who belonged to the 'serbian' part of the camp from where they often taken for further testing or liquidation. At the end of August 1941, prisoners from whole Serbia were taken to the camp, so it came under direct jurisdiction of German military-administrative commander in Serbia.
Other citizens of Belgrade witnessed the Banjica Concentration camp and the Jewish one on Sajmiste, what was not Nazi's common practice across the Europe. This kind of positioning should have and had for purpose intimidation of Belgrade citizens.
Historical Archives of Belgrade recived Books containing Banjica Concentration camp prisoner's personal data during October 1968, within the Administration of City of Belgrade Fond-Special police department. At the exhibition we can see scans of mentioned books which were properly written by camp administration. Appearance of the camp is shown on 6 monitors, photographs of German and Serbian authorities cooperating, prisoner's photographs, shooting of last group of prisoners, exhumations, identification and victim's funeral.
It's emphasized, in the middle of setting, one of the last victims tragic fate – Dr Rahela Micic, shot with her baby on 1 October 1944, just a few days before liberation of the camp.
Historical Archives of Belgrade, through this dignified, disturbing exhibition announces edition of original Books of Banjica Concentration camp.
Exhibition in Gornji Milanovac
