Lebensborn by Angeniet Berkers

Angeniet Berkers, through her book "Lebensborn Birth Politics in the Third Reich," provides an in-depth visual and textual exploration of the Lebensborn program—an initiative by the Nazis to increase the Aryan population across Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Berkers' work and her pictures, captures the profound personal stories and the emotional impact on the children of Lebensborn, between 15.000 and 20.000 in Germany and occupied territories.

Contributing to this narrative, Ingviil Constanze Ødegaard, (Ingvill is the daughter of one of the protagonists in the book) who wrote a text for Berkers' book, offers her perspective on the topic. Ødegaard, a researcher, frames the discussion within the broader historical context and highlights the severe systemic abuses faced by these children—including unauthorized adoptions and altered identities. Her contribution deepens the understanding of how these practices affected the children's lives and how their resilience has manifested over the decades.

The collaboration between Berkers and Ødegaard in this project provides a powerful multi-dimensional view of the Lebensborn program's reach and impact. Berkers' photographs alongside Ødegaard's textual analysis create a compelling narrative that not only documents the historical facts but also brings to light the personal stories of survival and resilience. This work is crucial for those interested in the intersections of history, human rights, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity, emphasizing the need for recognition and justice for the victims of such policies.