An Adolf Hitler "cosplay" parade by high school students in Taiwan has caused an international stir, drawing rebuke from officials in Germany and Israel.
Cosplay, acting out in costumes of well-known characters, is big in Taiwan and history teacher Liu Hsi-cheng said he warned his students about potential controversy after they picked Hitler as the cultural figure they wanted to represent during the school's anniversary parade, reported the Washington Post.
Images on social media showing the students marching in Nazi costumes during the parade held by Hsinchu Kuang Fu High School last Friday were called "deplorable and shocking" by the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, reported the Taipei Times.
"We feel that we have not worked hard enough, and have allowed this absurd, ignorant, and indifferent attitude toward the universal value of human rights to spread and become an international joke," said a joint statement issued by Our Story Alliance of History Teachers and Action Coalition of Civics Teachers, noted the Times.
Israel's representative office issued a statement, adding that Taiwan had recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day for the first time less than a year ago, said the Post.
"We strongly condemn this tasteless occurrence and call on the Taiwanese authorities, in all levels, to initiate educational programs which would introduce the meaning of the Holocaust and teach its history and universal meaning. Israel would support such endeavors as may be necessary," said the Israel Economic and Cultural Office.
Germany's representative office added, according to the Post: "The Holocaust can be regarded as one of the most heinous crimes in human history. Unfortunately, it is clear that the students are not aware that the Nazi symbol means oppression and contempt for human rights."
The school's principal, Cheng Hsiao-ming took responsibility for the incident and resigned from his position, asking the public to not blame the students or the teacher for the incident.
"Educational institutions have a responsibility to teach students the correct values," Cheng said, per the Post. "We should teach students to learn from their mistakes."
Cheng added that the school would organize a series of educational activities about the Holocaust, including watching movies such as "Schindler's List."
The country's Central News Agency reported that the Presidential Office has requested that the Cabinet hold the high school accountable for the display.