vel exhibition. The project brings together the local story of the Holocaust with the racist and xenophobic stance exhibited by the Romanian authorities of the time.
By doing so the exhibitions emphasize the dangers that prejudice, dehumanization, and intolerance have for fueling crimes against humanity. This way, the targeted groups are encouraged to become more sensitive to the risks posed by social stereotyping and exclusion; the project linking the past with problems that are still present within contemporary Romanian society.
How does it work?
The process starts with interactive workshops with the students and educators where the history of the Holocaust in Romania and local specificities are presented. It follows the documentation of the microhistories of the individuals and communities in the six regions (Bacau, Suceava, Galati, Vrancea, Dolj, Argeș) using primary sources and creating the storylines of the exhibitions that are ultimately illustrated by professional artists.
Therefore, the students and educators are not simply spectators, but become content creators, and their work is publicly acknowledged. This user-generated content strategy stimulates engagement, curiosity and a better understanding of the subject.
The format chosen (graphic novel) also responds to the needs, and interests of the targeted audiences, and the open outdoor character of the exhibitions facilitates the general public's access.
More about the project
"Stories from the Holocaust. Local histories” is a project developed within the "Local History” programme, financed by the EVZ Foundation, organized with the support of the local authorities, and in collaboration with educators and students from various cities in Romania. The project started in the autumn of 2021 with two exhibitions in Bacău and Suceava presenting the stories of local Jewish communities and the deportation to Transnistria.
Recently, on April 8 and April 9, two more exhibitions were inaugurated, and by the end of the year, the last will follow.
The exhibitions are also accessible online.