Gate to Auschwitz
Photo: EPA
Estonian gas co. advertises product with Auschwitz gate
Website advertises photograph of Nazi death camp gate with caption reading 'Gas heating - flexible, convenient, and effective'
An Estonian company has landed itself in a scandal after its website posted an image of the infamous “Arbeit macht frei” (work sets you free) gate to the Auschwitz concentration camp in an attempt to advertise the firm’s gas and heating services, Russian news agency RT reported on Sunday.
The caption of the photo read: "Gas heating - flexible, convenient, and effective."
Bad Taste
PR campaign for fitness center features photo of Auschwitz with slogan 'Kiss your calories goodbye'
The slogan, which looks regular for this section, sent an odd message when placed right under the notorious sign adorning the Auschwitz gate.
The next day the photo was removed from the company’s website and an apology was posted.
The Gas company's director Sven Linros said in response to harsh criticism that followed that he only wanted to present the death camp in a different light.
“Hitler killed himself because he got a gas bill… a lot of people laugh at this, but I do not. I visited Auschwitz with dread. I feel sorry for the victims and their families. The picture was intended for a narrow group of people. We wanted to clarify that the CH4 gas is not toxic and can be used to heat buildings, even those with such a sad history.”
This is not the first case of Auschwitz pictures being used in advertisements. In January, a gym in Dubai used an image from Auschwitz with the tag line "Kiss your calories goodbye."
