About us
The Terezín Initiative Institute is a non-profit organisation that originates from the Terezín Initiative Foundation (Nadace Terezínská iniciativa) that was founded in 1993 by an international association of former prisoners of the Terezín ghetto - the Terezín Initiative.
The aim of the Institute is to pursue and support research of the history of the “final solution” in Bohemia and Moravia and the history of Terezín ghetto, and to present the results to a broader public. The Institute, along with other organizations, wants to make Terezín a place of encounter and discussion between people of different generations and nationalities, and political, philosophical and religious beliefs.
A short overview of our projects:
- the educational website holocaust.cz
- the Database of Holocaust Victims from the Czech Lands and Europe that had been imprisoned in Terezín ghetto – available on holocaust.cz
- publications focused on Holocaust-Shoa and other topics (Terezín Memorial Books, yearbook Terezín Studies and Documents, etc.)
- a public library focused on Holocaust-Shoa, anti-Semitism and racism
- educational projects and organisation of the educational workshops and conferences for teachers and students
In 2012, we received the accreditation as an educational institution from the Ministry of education, youth and sports.
We cooperate with various other institutions in the Czech Republic, in Europe, the USA, and Israel. Have a look at our list of partners.
You can also visit
It is with deep sadness that we have received the news of the death of Professor Yehuda Bauer, one of the world's foremost historians of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. His research and teaching contributed greatly to our understanding of the tragic events of the 20th century and their implications for contemporary society. His determination to lead us to a deeper understanding of human nature and the need to combat hatred and intolerance will always remain an inspiration.
The Terezín Initiative Institute expresses its deepest condolences to his family and all those who were affected by his life and work.
In Professor Bauer we are losing not only an expert, whose opinion has always been extremely valuable to us, but also a compatriot and close friend.
This week, Thomas and Laurenz visited the School of International and Public Relations in Prague-Nusle and held a workshop there with pupils from the Matura classes. The activity ‘Just an ordinary day’ was used to illustrate the effects of anti-Jewish laws and regulations during the Nazi era. In group work, the participants were able to compile and analyse information about the actual circumstances using original documents.
We would like to thank you for the invitation and the lively discussions with the pupils.
As an institute, our work is based on three main pillars:
- The Institute researches the history of Nazi persecution in the Czech lands and Europe.
- It commemorates and documents its victims.
- It educates against manifestations of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia.
Education is a key tool for preventing anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of hatred that led to tragedies such as the Holocaust. Essential elements in education include:
Last Saturday, a networking workshop was held in Ústí nad Labem on the topic of Nazi forced labour in the border region of Saxony-Bohemia. Participants were representatives of various organisations and institutions that deal with this topic from different perspectives.
The Anne Frank Youth Network kindly invites you to the workshop ‘Discover the Art of Zines: Creativity with a Cause’.
On Saturday, 14 September 2024, the Terezín Initiative Institute hosted a workshop "Art Against Death" aimed at teachers and educators. Despite the flood situation, the participants arrived. The workshop was led by Roman Ferstl, Barbora Tocháčková and Dana Gabalová. The program focused on the role of art in Terezín and its importance in strengthening the will to survive the ghetto and concentration camps.
Wednesday, 11 September, the Terezín Initiative Institute organized a photography workshop, led by photography professor Karel Cudlín. The Mayor of Terezín, Mr. René Tomášek, opened the program, which then continued with photographs taken throughout the city, both in the Small Fortress and in the former ghetto, a tour of which was led by TII Director Tomáš Kraus. The students had the opportunity to capture the unique atmosphere of this place, but also to learn something of its turbulent history.