23 May 08 – Ed Balls MP, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, visited the UK Holocaust Centre today to announce the forthcoming opening of ‘The Journey’, a unique new exhibition about the Holocaust designed for primary school aged children.
“This exhibition will be hugely beneficial to help young children learn about the history of the Holocaust in an appropriate way. But its not just about absorbing information – it will also give young children a chance to question values, behaviours and attitudes and as such will be an investment in the future cohesion of our schools and communities,” said Ed Balls.
The Journey tells the story of a fictional Jewish child - Leo Stein. Young visitors to the Holocaust Centre will walk through Leo's home, school and street. They will visit his father's shop, the ‘hiding’ space under the stairs and the carriage that takes him on his Journey to eventual safety in England. Visitors will engage with the stories of many children who were rescued from Nazi persecution or arrived in England having survived the Holocaust. They will see many unique artefacts and meet Holocaust survivors personally. They will learn about historical circumstances that led to the persecution of the Jews and other groups in Nazi Germany as well as the experiences of other refugees today.
"This is an exhibition for young children about young children," says Dr Stephen Smith, Director of The Holocaust Centre. “We will not be telling ten-year-olds about mass execution and gas chambers. Instead we will take them on a journey through history, a journey exploring identity, and a journey to discuss the values of the world we share."
The Journey is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Association of Jewish Refugees. It is due to open on 8 September 2008 and will be the first permanent Holocaust exhibition in the country aimed at such a young age group.
The Journey will also be open to the visiting public at The Holocaust Centre along with the existing permanent exhibition and memorial gardens.
The Centre is open to the public seven days a week to the end of August 2008 and five days a week from September to December 2008.
