Database of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“
Project objective
The project „Database of victims of the national socialist persecution of ‚gypsies‘“ contributes to the documentation of the identity and lives of those who were persecuted as so-called „Zigeuner“ on racial grounds by the National Socialists and whose fates were connected with the territory of the contemporary Czech Republic.
By systematically collecting and making available data and documents, photographs and further materials about individuals, who were persectued on racial grounds due to them being Roma or Sinti, the project aims to strenghten awareness about the genocide of Roma and Sinti in the context of Central Europe‘s modern history. Beyond that, the project aims to stimulate a broader discussion about the meaning of commemorating the events of World War II, especially taking into consideration their roots and consequences for the formation of identity of all groups in our region – as well of those belonging to society‘s majority as well as those part of minority communities – and supports the improvement of mutual relations among all groups.
1st phase
Duration
1. 6. 2016 – 31. 5. 2018
Project activities
- Processing of the materials made available or created by the historian Ctibor Nečas on the victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“
- Research of relevant archival materials in Czech archives (The National Archives Prague, Moravian Provincial Archives in Brno, State Regional Archives in Třeboň).
- Development of a methodological framework for the documentation of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“ - in cooperation with members of the advisory board.
- Development of the basic structure of the database of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gyspies“, including rules for the assignment of permissions for the access to the data, archival sources and further materials to be implemented into the database; consultation of the advisory board and the project partners Museum of Roma Culture (MRK) and Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance (DÖW) and subsequently, implementation of the results into the structure of the database.
- Systematic research for further relevant archival materials, processing of the found materials and beginning of the integration of those documents into the database.
Project outputs
- A basic structure for the database of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“, including model datasets of victims and archival materials (documents and photographs).
- Overview of archival records containing materials related to the project‘s subject.
- Establishment of a working group consisting of experts and advisers to assure the quality of the project and its further development regarding the impartation of the project‘s outputs into society‘s majority as well as into the Roma-community.
2nd phase
Duration
1. 6. 2018 – 31. 5. 2020
Project activities
- Continuation of systematic research in the National Archives in Prague, the Moravian Provincial Archive in Brno and the State Regional Archives in Třeboň.
- Systematic research in further archives within the Czech Republic and abroad (State District Archives Liberec, State District Archives Břeclav and Mikulov, The Archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim, Federal Archives Berlin).
- Digitalization of the CT Lety records in the State Regional Archives Třeboň.
- Implementation of the lists of inmates of the „gypsy camps“ in Lety u Písku, Hodonín u Kunštátu and Auschwitz-Birkenau published by Ctibor Nečas into the database.
- Compilation of selected family histories on grounds of the available archival sources and including the memories of surviving dependants and descendants of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“.
Planned project outputs
- Database containing datasets on the victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“ including name, family name, date and place of birth, date and place of internment, date and place of death etc., depending on the availability of data in the archives and other sources.
- Completion of the digitalization of the CT Lety records in the State Regional Archives Třeboň.
- Several viable family histories of victims of the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“, which will serve as a means to give the public an understanding of the fate of those who fell victim to the national socialist persecution of „gypsies“.
Applicant
- Terezín Initiative Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
Project partners
- Museum of Roma Culture, Brno, Czech Republic
- Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance, Vienna, Austria
In cooperation with
- Zentralrat Deutscher Sinti und Roma, Germany
- Fritz Bauer Institut, Germany
- KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau, Germanny
- KZ-Gedenkstätte Flossenbürg, Germany
- Pedagogical University of Krakow Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Poland
Members of the advisory board
- Karel Holomek, Association of Roma in Moravia, Czech Republic
- PhDr. Jana Horváthová, Museum of Roma Culture, Czech Republic
- Dr hab. Slawomir Kapralski, Prof. UP, Pedagogical University of Krakow – Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Poland
- Mirjam-Angela Karoly, OSCE ODIHR, Poland
- Petr Lhotka, historian, Czech Republic
- Rudolf Murka, member of the second generation, Czech Republic
- Dr. Jörg Osterloh, Fritz Bauer Institute, Germany
- Frank Reuter, Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, Germany
- Čeněk Růžička, Committee for the compensation of Roma-victims of the holocaust, Czech Republic
- Helena Sadílková, Ph.D., Department for Romani Studies, Chair for Central European Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, Charles University Prague, Czech Republic
- Marek Szilvási, Europen Roma Rights Centre, Hungary
The Project is supported by
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Last Friday, a group of exchange students from the USA visited us in Jáchymka for a workshop we organised in cooperation with @vertoeducation. During the time we spent together, we discussed the repressions and regulations that gradually eroded the rights of Jews in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and how they affected them. In one activity we discussed what an ordinary day might be like for us, and then we saw how, over time, personal life became more and more restricted and participation in society was forbidden.
One of the tasks of our Institute is to draw attention to the historical events and context of the phenomenon for which the name Holocaust has been adopted. One of the most tragic events that officially triggered the Nazi rampage and the persecution of the Jewish population of Europe happened exactly 86 years ago, on the night of 9-10 November. The Nazis themselves called it Kristallnacht, after the shattered windows of Jewish shops, homes and synagogues. Post-war history also knows it as the Reich Pogrom.
Last Saturday afyn.cz got together and held their very own zine workshop.
The history of zines (which are small DIY magazines) is characterised by their use by marginalised groups in particular to express themselves artistically and the issues that mattered to them, both cheaply and quickly. After learning about the rich history of zines, we got right down to making our own. At the end of the workshop we presented our little creations to each other and saw all the beautiful ways in which zines can be used: From making your own little comic book to creating an informative brochure, anything is possible.
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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: