News

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.

At the end of the summer, just before the beginning of the school year, on 27-28 August, the Milan Šimečka Foundation in Bratislava organized a teachers' conference "The Sadness and Joy of History". The conference focused on memory and research education and helped educators prepare for the new school year, especially on the topic of the Holocaust in the curriculum.

On 3.9.2024, the trainee lawyers of the Leipzig Regional Court were given a tour of Prague's Jewish quarter. The tour was organized and conducted by our educator Thomas, supported by our new volunteer Laurenz.

Thomas informed the participants about the history of Jewish life in Prague and the Czech Republic and also talked about the history of anti-Semitism in the Czech Republic. The MemoGIS web application co-developed by the Institute was also used during the tour.

Many of the crimes committed during the occupation were legally covered by laws and regulations. This makes it all the more important that future generations of lawyers and judges deal with the history of National Socialist crimes. We are delighted that the trainee lawyers at Leipzig District Court took advantage of this opportunity and would like to thank them for their keen interest.

Last Thursday we had a small celebration at the institute, where we laughed and cried.

We said goodbye to Lena. We looked back together on the past year and the many experiences and memories we shared. There were a few tears in our eyes.

At the same time we welcomed Laurenz, who will be supporting us from now on as a volunteer from Verein GEDENKDIENST.

Dear Lena, we thank you for your great work and for allowing us to accompany you on a small part of your life's journey. We wish you all the best for the future!

Dear Laurenz, welcome to the Institute. We look forward to your support in the team and to the many great impressions and experiences you will have during your year with us.

You can read more about our two volunteers in the interviews below.