Paula Oppermann

Paula Oppermann, a Holocaust historian and researcher at the Historische Kommission, Berlin, discusses her book on the Pērkonkrusts, Latvia’s prominent right-wing party from the 1930s. She explores the party's radical antisemitism, influences from 19th-century nationalism, and public perception, revealing how the movement adapted and persisted despite political changes. Oppermann delves into the tragic events of the 1932 pogrom and the group’s collaboration during the Holocaust, shedding light on the enduring legacy of Latvian fascism and its complex relationship with antisemitism.

Holocaust historian Paula Oppermann delves into her book on the Pērkonkrusts, Latvia's most significant right-wing political party from the 1930s. She details the roots of Latvian antisemitism linked to early nationalism and discusses the party's infamous propaganda and its connection to university politics. The conversation highlights the street violence stemming from a football match and the group's adaptation to bans. Oppermann also examines the legacy of fascism and antisemitism in Latvia post-World War II, making it a crucial study of European fascist movements.

Paula Oppermann, a prominent Holocaust historian and researcher, delves into her book about the Pērkonkrusts, Latvia’s largest right-wing party in the early 20th century. She discusses the party's roots in European fascism and its distinct antisemitic ideology, which influenced Latvian nationalism. Oppermann reveals how universities fostered anti-Jewish sentiments and the violent mobilization that culminated in the 1932 football-stadium pogrom. She also explores the group's adaptations after being banned, their collaboration with Nazis, and how postwar narratives recast their past.