One level further down, i. e. on ground, we encounter a very popular tourist destination with its typical souvenir shops.
But only an in-depth look into the product line of several of these souvenir shops leads to an interesting analysis: About 60 % of the offered medals, pins, badges, etc. are Nazi/SS-minded, followed by 30 % Soviet stuff, the remaining 10 % covering a wide political range from the French order Pour le Mérite to European Union pins.
Antique militaria? No, not at all, brandnew replica, cheap kitsch, mainly "Made in Poland" and legally offered in Bulgaria. But besides the Polish producers and the Bulgarian traders, there is no offer without demand. Just who the heck are the customers?
2 comments:
Dear Mr. Hauster,
I have just sent you an email regarding your 2015 post “Souvenirs from Nesebar”, asking for clarification about the “Made in Poland” reference in relation to Nazi-themed souvenirs you observed there.
My main question concerns this specific point: what was the basis for identifying these items as “Made in Poland” – whether it was based on visible markings on the products or other sources of information.
You can also reach me directly at: Andrzej.goworski@gmail.com
Thank you in advance for any clarification you may be able to provide.
Best regards,
Andrzej Goworski
Dear Andrzej,
Thank you very much for your message and your perfectly valid question. My trip to Nesebar, en route to Istanbul, is already more than ten years ago. Unfortunately, I no longer remember exactly whether I saw “Made in Poland” on the packaging or heard it (in addition) from the salespeople. It was probably the packaging, because I remember that the salespeople weren’t thrilled that I was taking photos. However, I assure you that I did not take the “Made in Poland” label lightheartedly, as I am very sensitive to issues surrounding the Holocaust. For me, it was just a random find during a relatively long motorcycle tour at the time:
http://hauster.blogspot.com/2015/07/photo-video-finish-and-balance-sheet-in.html
But now, eleven years later, your inquiry has piqued my curiosity, and I’ve looked into the matter. Apparently, this was already a topic in the German-language press back in 2008, and by 2015, nothing had changed.
Poland is a Nazi bestseller:
https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Polen-ist-Nazi-Powerseller-article12822.html
Poland: Europe’s largest producer of Nazi symbols:
https://www.diepresse.com/402975/polen-groesster-produzent-von-ns-symbolen-in-europa
World champion in Nazi kitsch exports:
https://www.waz.de/politik/article1400436/exportweltmeister-fuer-nazi-kitsch.html
When I look at Nestof Militaria’s product range today, it’s clear that this company is still making its money from Nazi and other kitsch. As I said back in 2008: “…there is no supply without demand. Just who the heck are the customers?”
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