French Embassy in Berlin Hosts International Conference on Claude Lanzmann’s Shoah Legacy
Embassy fosters Franco-German dialogue on memory, history, and archival research
February 16th, 2026
On 9–10 February 2026, a high-level international conference entitled “The Sound of History: Claude Lanzmann’s Preparation for Shoah” was held in Berlin to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of Shoah, the landmark documentary that profoundly transformed cinematic approaches to historical memory and the understanding of the mass murder of European Jews. The event was jointly organized by the French Embassy in Germany, the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Commission for the Restitution of Property and the Compensation of Victims of Anti-Semitic Spoliations (CIVS), the Selma Stern Centre for Jewish Studies Berlin-Brandenburg, and the Alfred Landecker Foundation.
Bringing together approximately 200 scholars, researchers, archivists, and cultural experts from Germany, France, Poland, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the conference took place in the auditorium of the French Embassy in Berlin. Participants examined the extensive sound recordings made by filmmaker Claude Lanzmann during the preparation of Shoah, exploring their historical, ethical, and methodological significance through a series of interdisciplinary panel discussions.
The discussions were enriched by the participation of Corinna Coulmas and Irena Steinfeldt-Levy, long-time collaborators of Claude Lanzmann, whose nearly decade-long involvement in the making of Shoah provided unique firsthand insights into the creative and research processes behind the film. Their contributions offered valuable perspectives on the documentary’s innovative narrative approach and its enduring impact on historical scholarship and collective memory.
Dominique Lanzmann, widow of the director and Chairwoman of the Association Claude et Félix Lanzmann (ACFL), attended the conference as guest of honour. She addressed participants on the successful German-French initiative that led to the inclusion of Shoah in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, underscoring the shared commitment of both countries to preserving historical testimony and safeguarding documentary heritage for future generations.
Through dynamic and thought-provoking exchanges, the conference reaffirmed the French Embassy in Berlin’s role as a vibrant platform for German-French and European academic dialogue. As part of the programme commemorating the 100th anniversary of Claude Lanzmann’s birth, “The Sound of History” highlighted the continued relevance of interdisciplinary research and innovation in the humanities and social sciences, while honoring Lanzmann’s critical spirit and lasting contribution to historical understanding and remembrance
