Austrian Traces in Theresienstadt
With this project we, the Terezín Initiative Institute, would like to build a living bridge between the Czech Republic and Austria in order to shed light on an important part of our shared Central European history. We strive to fill the gaps in Holocaust education by developing teaching materials that reveal a hitherto hidden aspect of this dark period. Our aim is to deconstruct the idyllic image of a Jewish town propagated by the Nazis and to place Theresienstadt in the broader context of the Holocaust.
Materials for School Lessons
The teaching materials are also available free of charge in digital form.
Brochure
The first part describes the history of the ghetto and the Theresienstadt concentration camp in general, with a special focus on the Austrian traces. Questions are asked after each chapter to help students reflect on and deepen understanding of what they have read.
The second part contains original documents and their translations on the fate of Regina Machlupová. By examining these documents, the pupils should learn not only what information can be gleaned from the archives, but also gain an insight into Regina Machlupová's life.
On the final page, students can look forward to a poem by Leo Strauss, which he wrote during his time in Theresienstadt. This poetic depiction of a dark time asks students not only to consider the content of the poem, but also to reflect on the profound background. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the emotions and experiences of people in difficult situations and to recognize humanity in the midst of horror.
Group work
The topic offers the opportunity to approach the fate of individuals by means of group work. Further information and descriptions can be found in the following document:
We recommend that you follow the enclosed guidelines when working with personal stories and testimonials. This also provides helpful information regarding possible questions.
As part of the group work, Regina Machlupová’s original documents of will be used and will be supplemented by the fate of Adéla Friedová.
In addition to Leo Strauss' text "Als-Ob", we would like to offer the writer Myra Gruhenberg-Strauss a well-deserved platform too. To this end, we present two texts which Gruhenberg-Strauss wrote during her time in Theresienstadt for the so-called "literary Strauss cabaret" and which are also suitable for interpretation as part of group work.
Helga Pollak's drawing can also be used for group work and interpretation.
Workshop
We also offer the option of coming to your school and holding a workshop on the topic. This can be tailored to your needs and interests. Everything is possible, from a general overview of the history of Austrian Jews in Theresienstadt to in-depth insights into individual fates. Our aim is to offer pupils an interactive and educational experience.
If you are interested, please contact Thomas Elmecker at thomas.elmecker@terezinstudies.cz.
This project was funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency and the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.
You can also visit
Anne Frank and thousands of others. We visited the place where the fate of one of the world's most famous stories came to an end, as well as that of countless of others. The Bergen-Belsen camp was burned down after the war, but one can still hear echoes of the past. How can we learn about the horrors that have gone to ashes?
Yesterday, we welcomed Director Denise Quistorp and Sebastian Halbauer from the Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague to our premises at Jáchymova to exchange views on our respective activities and projects. This gave us the opportunity to identify common priorities in our work and to further strengthen Austro-Czech exchange through future cooperation.
This week we received a visit from Ms Krejcova (Foreign Culture of Lower Austria) and Mr Halbauer from the Austrian Cultural Forum Prague, where we were not only able to present the work of the ITI, but also make personal contacts. We were able to discuss many topics that overlap with the work of our three institutions in order to promote Austrian-Czech exchange.
The MA Theater would love to cordially invite you to the Prague premiere of the theatre play Address Unknown, based on the 1938's best selling book by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor. The MA Theater's performance is taking place on the 28th of January at 7:30 PM at Divadlo Na Prádle, Besední 487/3, Prague 1. The play is performed in English.
You can learn more about the play here or in the attachment.
The year is 1933. Two childhood friends, the German Martin Schulse and the Jew Max Eisenstein, bound by student fraternity in Germany and then a gallery business in America, are now separated by the Atlantic. Max continues the Schulse-Eisenstein Galleries in San Francisco, while Martin and his wife and young children move back to native Germany.
Letters fly back and forth, from the Bavarian mansion, across the ocean, to San Francisco, to dear Maxel, and others are sent back to dear Martin. They are full of tenderness, common memories, and hope for Germany's happy future...
Direction: Marianna Arzumanova
Cast: Mario Baas, Jiří Valeš, Eva Alner
The original script, direction, scenography and soundtrack are work of Marianna Arzumanova, the director and founder of Prague's Theatre MA. The show premiered on 18th July 2022 in Verbier, and was shown again in London, New York, Geneve and Schloss Elmau, starring world-renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin and baritone Thomas Hampson.
From December 6 to 8, 2024, we hosted the seminar Antisemitism and Us in Terezín for teachers and peer educators from the Anne Frank Youth Network (AFYN). The event was organized in collaboration with European Practitioners against Antisemitism (EPNA), and with support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Program and Key Speakers
The seminar offered a rich program focused on how to teach about antisemitism and the Holocaust in a way that has a tangible impact while avoiding unintended antisemitic outcomes. We were honored to welcome outstanding speakers:
- Tomáš Kraus, who guided participants through the authentic environment of the Terezín ghetto, sharing his family’s stories to enrich the educational experience.
- Jakub Drábik, who gave a lecture titled What is Fascism?, exploring its origins, manifestations, and methods of prevention.
- Peter Weisenbacher, who presented FRA research and additional data on how antisemitism is perceived and experienced by members of the Jewish community in Slovakia.
📚 Educate. ✊ Empower. 🔁 Repeat.
Are you between 16 and 26 years old and do you want to be part of a global network of youth taking action? Do you want to raise awareness of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism?
Join the Anne Frank Youth Network and become a member of a global community!
Inspired by Anne Frank’s diary and her lifestory, all activities aim to raise awareness, increase active citizenship, foster dialogue and democratic values today. Together with your peers you will make a positive contribution to society and to your community!
We kindly invite you to take part in our training of new youth ambassadors!