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From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz – Novi Sad the capital of the remembrance culture

From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz – Novi Sad the capital of the remembrance culture

A program dedicated to various aspects of the culture of Holocaust remembrance, the purpose, meaning and future of remembrance, the problems we face in this field, and the challenge posed by contemporary antisemitism

Antisemitism – a shared European challenge

Antisemitism has been present for centuries, manifesting in various forms of (Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward 1 Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities (Working definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance IHRA) discrimination and violence 1 against the Jewish communities around Europe.

It culminated during the Holocaust – the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and murder of Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, perpetrated between 1933 and 1945 in front of the eyes of millions of bystanders. This continent-wide genocide destroyed individuals, families, communities, and cultures developed over centuries. After facing this unprecedented crime, post-war Europe was built upon the commitment of Europeans to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. We pledged to continue our shared future based on core democratic values: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human and civil rights. Still, antisemitism did not end.

Today, again, antisemitism is on the rise across Europe.
The program “From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz – Novi Sad the Capital of the Remembrance Culture,” developed by Terraforming and a group of dedicated Serbian and international partners, is built around the three three pillars of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life:

1. Preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism;
2. Protection and nurturing of Jewish life;
3. Education, research and remembrance of the Holocaust;

From 17 to 19 June, 2 through a series of public panel discussions, exhibitions, and performances, we will demonstrate our commitment to stand against antisemitism in all its forms, our dedication to fostering Jewish life, as well as improving research, education, and memorialization of the Holocaust.
During the three eventful days, we will explore a range of topics, such as:

• European cooperation on countering antisemitism through education;
• Antisemitism in times of social insecurity, misinformation, and fear;
• Graphic novel in teaching about the Holocaust;
• ew roles of archives, libraries, and museums in countering Holocaust distortion and denial;
• Future of remembrance in times without living survivors;
• Holocaust memory in the emerging landscape of digital cultural heritage;
• Gender perspectives in Holocaust education and countering antisemitism;

In 2022 we mark 80 years since the Novi Sad Raid, a series of military and police operations carried out by the Hungarian armed forces against the Serbian and Jewish civilians in January 1942. In this massacre, Hungarian fascists killed at least 1.400 people on the streets of Novi Sad and along the banks of the Danube. This event has forever changed the city and evolved into an inseparable part of its identity. During the program, we will examine the memorialization of the Novi Sad Raid as part of the shared European historical experience and an essential element in the European mosaic of Holocaust remembrance.

The program will reach its highlight when in partnership with the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture (AEPJ), we launch the European Days of Jewish Culture to celebrate life, culture, and our shared European future.

Public forums

A series of public forums in which we discussed various aspects of the culture of remembrance in the context of contemporary social challenges with a special emphasis on antisemitism.

Exhibition: "Graphic Novel in Holocaust Education - From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz"

The exhibition “Graphic Novel in Holocaust Education – From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz” showed a whole range of educational materials developed in the format of graphic novels based on true stories and young people who lived and suffered during World War II. Terraforming has been developing this type of educational material for several years and this exhibition showed what they have achieved until today.

Exhibition: "The Future of Memory - From Raid to Auschwitz"

The exhibition “The Future of Remembrance- From the Raid to Auschwitz” commemorated one of the most terrible events that forever changed the face of Novi Sad – the Novi Sad Raid in a specific way. It showed different places in the world where the memory of the suffering of our people is kept.

My impressions of the seminar are very positive. The program was diverse in the type of activities ranging from klezmer music to traditional Serbian/Jewish song & dance, from academic lectures to innovative discussion formats. The seminar was engaging and it covered a wide range of topics. I was impressed as well by the high quality of the exhibitions, in particular considering the large number of participants from different NGOs and academic institutions that had sent representatives from so many different countries. Between the formal moments in the program there were many opportunities to get to know the participants in a more informal setting: lunch, dinner, walks, even wine-tasting! This provided lots of opportunities to continue discussions but also to learn about the personal motivations and future plans of the many participants.

My main critical memory refers to the poorly attended closing event (the panel debate on contemporary antisemitism in the Serbian National Theatre), which was a shame as the line-up of speakers was excellent and so were their contributions. I hope Terraforming can find a way to disseminate these programs as they deserve a larger audience.

There were many memorable events, but what stood out was the discussion in the exhibition space with the graphic novels on the Holocaust in Serbia (in the Silk Factory). The presentation format was fun, yet the short introductory remarks by the presenters and the discussion led by Misko Stanisic was serious and cutting edge as it both dealt with the complexities of the subject matter and it allowed for differences in opinions and perspectives.

Jan Erik Dubbelman

International Director, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, Netherlands
participant of the “The Future of Memory” panel

Program

Friday – Jun 17, 2022

1 – Panel

Antisemitism in Times of Crisis, Disinformation and Fear

TIME: 11: 00-12: 30
PLACE: Historical Archive of the City of Novi Sad
MODERATOR: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

PANELISTS:
Dr. Milan Koljanin
Historian, Steering board member, Memorial Center „Staro Sajmiste“, Belgrade
Anna Wencel
Educator, Galicia Jewish Museum, Krakow
Emrah Gürsel
Head of International Partnerships, Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus KIgA e.V., Berlin
Stefan May
Project manager, Jugend- & Kulturprojekt JKPeV, Dresden

The whole exchange in our panel about antisemitism was important and significant, but I would like to underline, as an important conclusion, that we agreed by the end of the panel that the initiatives to define and to combat antisemitism require wide cooperation and alliances that are multidimensional, interdisciplinary, and diverse.

Anna Wencel

Educator, Galicia Jewish Museum, Krakow, Poland
participant of the “Antisemitism in Times of Crisis, Disinformation and Fear” panel

2 – Panel

The Future of Memory

TIME: 17: 30-19: 00
PLACE: KC Svilara
MODERATOR: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

PANELISTS:
Dr. Victoria Walden
Senior Lecturer in Media, School of Media, Arts and Humanities, University of Sussex, The Sussex Weidenfeld Institute of Jewish Studies, Brighton
Jan Erik Dubbelman
International Director, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
Helge Theil
Program Coordinator, Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft EVZ, Berlin
Dr. Alexandra Patrikiou
Historian, Jewish Museum Greece, Athens

The public discussions were particularly thought-provoking and multi-perspective. I only wish they had a bigger audience. I found “The future of memory” particularly interesting as it offered space for introduction of different opinions and valuable fresh perspectives on this important topic.

Dr. Alexandra Patrikiou

Historian, Jewish Museum Greece, Athens, Greece
participant of the “The Future of Memory” panel

The most important aspect of the whole program and the panel I participated in is the very good positioning of the topic in the wider European and global frameworks. I was most impressed by the very lively atmosphere that enabled critical dialogue even on the most subtle topics, and the extremely open and friendly hosts who enabled the establishment of new professional networks and future cooperation for all participants.

Dr. Olga Manojlović Pintar

Historian, Senior Researcher, Institute for Recent History of Serbia, Serbia
participant of the “Rebuilding the Life After the Holocaust – 80 Years Later: Achievements, Challenges, and Tasks for Future” panel

3 – EXHIBITION OPENING:

Graphic Novel in Education about the Holocaust – From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz

TIME: 19:00
Opening speeches:
Jan Erik Dubbelman
International Director, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
Martina Maschke
Director for International bilateral Affairs and Holocaust Education at the Federal Ministry of Education of Austria, Vienna

The program was conceived very thoughtfully. I very much liked the variety of events and discussions, and I congratulate Terraforming on the attendance of many high ranking experts from important institutions, including multilateral organisations, national administrations and research institutes as well as policy advisors. The level of the discourse was indeed appealing.

In addition I was impressed by the educational graphic novel exhibition and the Ester project, as well as the inclusion of the Jewish community. Thanks a lot for the great hospitality and perfect organisation!

Martina Maschke

Director for International bilateral Affairs and Holocaust Education at the Federal Ministry of Education of Austria, Vienna, Austria

Saturday – Jun 18, 2022

4 – Panel

Rebuilding the Life After the Holocaust – 80 Years Later: Achievements, Challenges, and Tasks for Future

TIME: 11: 00-12: 30
PLACE: KC Svilara (The Silk Factory)
MODERATOR: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

PANELISTS:
Dr. Olga Manojlović Pintar
Historian, Senior Researcher, Institute for Recent History of Serbia
Katja Grosse-Sommer
Historian, CENTROPA, Hamburg
Victor Sorenssen
Director, The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage AEPJ, Barselona

This was a unique programme in its field. The organisation, the speakers and the dynamics of the debates (which were not presentations but conversation) brought a lot of life to the points being discussed. It is apparent that we need to rethink the role of memory and remembrance in our society through a more transversal and multidisciplinary approach, with special emphasis on the bottom up approach of the projects.

Victor Sorrensen

Director, The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage AEPJ, Barselona, Spain
participant of the “Rebuilding the Life After the Holocaust – 80 Years Later: Achievements, Challenges, and Tasks for Future” panel

Bringing together international partners and participants gave the meeting an diverse component, and it was fascinating to compare and contrast perspectives from different places and regions. For me, the most important point was the discussion about the relevance of the Holocaust as a pivotal event in European history: can it still be relevant today and in the years to come, and how to keep it relevant across society.

Katja Grosse-Sommer

Historian, CENTROPA, Hamburg, Germany
participant of the “Rebuilding the Life After the Holocaust – 80 Years Later: Achievements, Challenges, and Tasks for Future” panel

5 – Panel

Baruh Brothers’ Sisters – to Auschwitz Gender Perspectives in Memorialization and Education

TIME: 14: 00-15: 30
PLACE: KC Svilara
MODERATOR: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

PANELISTS:
Dr. Ivana Pantelić
Historian, Associate Researcher, Institute of Contemporary History, Belgrade
Dr. Julia Bala
Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Amsterdam
Marissa Roth
Photojournalist, Santa Monica, United States

The highlight of my participation in the panel was that I was sitting in between two very interesting and well-informed women who shared sympathetic views to myself as to how the impact of both the Novi Sad Raid and the Holocaust at large took on deeper psychological trauma and consequences for generations of women after the events, and what can be learned from these going forward in order to mitigate more hardships incurred by war. From a personal level, as the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of victims of the Novi Sad Raid, it was the first time that I felt that I wasn’t alone in my sorrow over the losses in my family.

Marissa Roth

Photojournalist, Santa Monica, United States
participant of the “Baruh Brothers’ Sisters – to Auschwitz Gender Perspectives in Memorialization and Education” panel

The program was very interesting, especially in disciplinary diversities. All of the panel participants were form the various both scientific and art disciplines. We discussed about women’s position in the war, as well as women’s capacities for the pacifistic agency. The two exhibitions, set up at the Silk Factory, were very inspiring. I have very nice memories of the event, and new acquaintances with the people from various fields of humanities and arts.

Dr. Ivana Pantelić

Historian, Associate Researcher, Institute of Contemporary History, Belgrade, Serbia
participant of the “Baruh Brothers’ Sisters – to Auschwitz Gender Perspectives in Memorialization and Education” panel

6 – Exhibition

The Future of Remembrance – From the Novi Sad Raid to Auschwitz

TIME: 16: 00-16: 45
PLACE: Kej žrtava Racije (the Quay by the monument to the Novi Sad Raid Victims)
Speakers: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

I think that the program has once again confirmed my opinion that memory culture must always be in a state of flux. It must be controversial and also uncomfortable. Because remembering means acting, and this acting must not be limited to well-trodden paths. We must allow the new generations to create their own culture of remembrance. After the program I felt how valuable it is to have an exchange with people who can give you new ideas and inspiration and vice versa. During these talks, it became apparent that such meetings create new connections for future collaborations that would not have existed online.

Helge Theil 

Program Coordinator, Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft EVZ, Berlin, Germany
participant of the “The Future of Memory” panel

Sunday – Jun 19, 2022

7 – Celebration

Kick-Off of the European Days of Jewish Culture
(in cooperation with the Jewish Community of Novi Sad’s program „Synagogue – the Meeting Point“)

TIME:17:00-18:30
PLACE: Novi Sad Synagogue
SPEAKS:
François Moyse
President, The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage AEPJ, Luxembourg

MUSIC PERFORMANCE: The Hashira Choir, The Maayan Dance Group and The Kol Shel K’fir Quartet

I enjoyed the different sessions of Terraforming’s program in Novi Sad, which all had high-level speakers, engaging conversations and many thoughtful outcomes. I was very impressed by the event and the overall participation. I would have liked to see more participation from local actors, students, educators, local authorities, journalists, experts, especially for the panel on antisemitism where I spoke. Novi Sad for me is on the map in terms of Holocaust education and education against antisemitism and it can also serve as a positive case-study for other medium-sized cities around Europe

I found the event in the synagogue very optimistic and inspiring. To be in this magnificent building, that belonged to a community that almost disappeared during the Holocaust, with a full room and an exquisite program was a very unique experience for me.

Dr. Leon Saltiel

Representative at UN and UNESCO and Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism for the World Jewish Congress, Geneva,Switzerland
participant of the “No More Silence – Addressing Antisemitism at Local, National and European Level” panel

“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander.”

– Elie Wiesel

8 – Panel

No More Silence – Addressing Antisemitism at Local, National and European Level

TIME: 19:00-21:00
PLACE: Serbian National Theater (The Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad)
MODERATOR: Miško Stanišić, Terraforming

PANELISTS:
François Moyse
President, The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage AEPJ, Luxembourg
Martina Maschke
Director for International bilateral Affairs and Holocaust Education at the Federal Ministry of Education
Dr. Leon Saltiel
Representative at UN and UNESCO and Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism for the World Jewish Congress, Geneva
H.E. Annika Ben David
Swedish Ambassador to Serbia, representing Swedish IHRA Chairmanship 2022, and Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2023
Robert Sabadoš
President, Federation of the Jewish Communities of Serbia, Belgrade

I was honoured to take part of such a high-level panel of distinguished international and local experts on Holocaust remembrance, education and research. Terraforming is very successful in gathering the most relevant stakeholders in their activities, that are very topical in time and place. Terraforming can be credited, through its tireless advocacy, to put Novi Sad on the international map for remembrance and education on the Holocaust and the Roma Genocide.

Annika Ben David 

Swedish Ambassador to Serbia, representing Swedish IHRA Chairmanship 2022, and Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2023, Sweden
participant of the “No More Silence – Addressing Antisemitism at Local, National and European Level” panel

Support:

NS2022_SRB

Foundation “Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture“

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance IHRA
through the project “Holocaust, European Values and Local History

Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft EVZ
through the project “Ester – young people remember

Co-funded by the European Commission under the
Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the European Union
through the the project “HANNAH: Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths

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