06 November 2005
Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies today launched an exhibition of children’s art from the Czech Republic. Attending the opening ceremony were Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Israel, Michael Žantovský and teachers participating in the Czech educational seminar that is currently underway at the School.
Over the past eight years the educational department of the Terezin Memorial has been conducting an art and essay competition for high school youth who take part in the program for teaching Czech youth about the Holocaust. Hana Greenfield, a Holocaust survivor who was an inmate of the Terezin ghetto, initiated this program and formulated the idea to bring the exhibition of these works to Israel and present it at Yad Vashem.
Every year, thousands of youth from over sixty high schools throughout the Czech Republic participate in the Terezin Memorial’s learning program. At the conclusion of the program, the students are invited to participate in the art and essay competition. This year over three hundred entries were submitted, and the prize-winning entries are displayed in the exhibit at Yad Vashem.
Director of the International School for Holocaust Studies, Dr. Motti Shalem:
“The International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem is proud to present the exhibition of children’s artwork from the Czech Republic. This exhibition presents the fruits of educational activities conducted among youth in the Czech Republic, and is an example of the use of interdisciplinary methods such as art to educate about the Holocaust.”
The exhibition will be open to the public until November 24, 2005.
Journalists and photographers who wish to cover the exhibition are requested to coordinate with the Media Relations Department: 02 644 3410; media.relations@yadvashem.org.il
