BERLIN, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Societies that forget or deny their past risk repeating the same mistakes, said Christoph Reinhardt, the great-grandson of John Rabe, a German remembered as the hero of Nanjing for protecting hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937.
"This is evident in the Western world, where a focus on progress often neglects the lessons of history," Reinhardt said in an interview with Xinhua ahead of China's annual memorial day on Dec. 13, which marks the darkest chapter in Nanjing's history.
On Dec. 13, 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army captured Nanjing. Invaders then carried out mass killings, sexual violence, and other atrocities, resulting in the deaths of approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers over six weeks. The Nanjing Massacre remains one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.
Rabe, then a Siemens representative in Nanjing, organized an international safety zone with the help of other foreigners, saving about 250,000 Chinese people between 1937 and 1938.
"For me, my great-grandfather is both a hero and a role model," Reinhardt said. "He lived by the motto, 'You don't abandon a friend in need,' with unwavering conviction."
Reinhardt said Rabe created a chance for survival where none seemed possible, demonstrating that "individuals or small groups can have a significant positive impact, even against overwhelming odds."
Despite his heroic deeds, the Nanjing Massacre and John Rabe's legacy have not gained the international prominence they deserve. "Nanjing doesn't make headlines in Europe, and John Rabe is not a well-known hero here," Reinhardt said. "Western media companies are, to this day, heavily influenced by American perspectives. There was no room for news from China."
"Perhaps this period carries too much guilt for Germans," Reinhardt added, reflecting on why Rabe remains relatively unknown in his homeland.
In Nanjing, however, Rabe's legacy is deeply cherished. For decades, Hamburg-born Rabe has been a household name in the city, symbolizing compassion and courage.
During Reinhardt's first visit to Nanjing in 2017, he experienced a profound realization regarding the enduring significance of his great-grandfather's heroic acts in the present. "Before then, I had no real understanding of my great-grandfather's significance in Chinese history."
At the Memorial Hall for the Victims in Nanjing Massacre, he encountered families who approached him to take photographs with their newborn babies in front of a prominent image of Rabe. Reinhardt said their actions reflected the enduring love and reverence the Chinese people still hold for Rabe.
Reinhardt praised the memorial hall's efforts to preserve history. "Their work is unparalleled anywhere in the world. It was there that I truly understood why a story can only be great if it remains unaltered and authentic," he said.
Reinhardt shared a story about a stonemason at the cemetery in Berlin where John and his wife Dora Rabe are buried. "The stonemason told me about Chinese tourists who visited the grave. When asked why they traveled so far, they replied, 'We are visiting our father!'"
"During every visit (to their graves), I find flowers, letters, and pictures left by visitors," he said. "Each time, I reflect on what unique stories these visitors associate with my family."
Reflecting on history, Reinhardt stressed, "Remembering the past is essential for achieving true, humane progress." ■