Two travelling exhibits from the Montreal Holocaust Museum are open at the Lloydminster Museum and Archives.
Witnesses to History, Keepers of Memeory and Tell me a Story! Youth Literature and the Holocaust are available for viewing until Jan. 11, 2025.
The Witnesses to History, Keepers of Memory shares the stories of 30 Holocaust survivors, who for over 40 years, have educated students and visitors at the Montreal Holocaust Museum.
Portraits are displayed alongside a personal item. If visitors scan the QR code they can view additional photos and audio clips where the survivors describe the significance of their items. The objects highlight the range of Holocaust experiences and underscore the duty to remember.
“The heroism of these individuals lies not only in their survival during the Holocaust, but also in their efforts to repair the world and educate the next generation about the dangers of racism and antisemitism,” stated Daniel Amar, executive director of the Montreal Holocaust Museum. “Survivors founded our museum in 1979, and they remain at the heart of our institution today to ensure we remember, learn, and act.”
The exhibition serves to express gratitude for the survivors and their contributions to Canadian society and their ongoing commitment to education about the Holocaust and human rights.
The other exhibit, Tell me a Story! Youth Literature and the Holocaust, introduces the Holocaust through children’s books. It’s aimed at audiences eight and up and addresses racism and antisemitism through personal stories.
“Young people are able to better understand the dangers of hatred and the impacts of genocide, when they learn through personal stories,” explained Marie-Blanche Fourcade, head of collections and exhibitions at the Montreal Holocaust Museum. “This was a key objective in creating Tell me a story! and the five selected books reflect the educational purpose of the exhibit.”
The five children’s books presented in the exhibition are inspired by the unique experiences of individuals:
- In Hiding by Marguerite Élias-Quddus: A memoir of survival in WWII France.
- The Fresh Smell of Soap by Kees Vanderhayden: Friendship during post-war Europe.
- What World is Left by Monique Polak: A story inspired by the author’s mother’s imprisonment in Theresienstadt.
- Fania’s Heart by Anne Renaud: A tale of courage at Auschwitz.
- Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine: The journey of Hana Brady’s suitcase to a children’s education center in Tokyo.
Themes of hope, friendship and perseverance are at the heart of the books. Visitors along with their parents can view replicas of photo albums and artefacts, read books in a dedicated space and ask questions.
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