From 2019–2023, this project will work towards creating guidelines for safeguarding authentic Holocaust sites – for adoption by all IHRA Member Countries – and to have these guidelines incorporated into national cultural heritage legislation.
“In 2007 the IHRA adopted a resolution on preserving and protecting sites associated with the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma. Such sites play a crucial role in educating current and future generations about the causes of the Holocaust and help them reflect upon its consequences”, said Dr Gilly Carr, chair of the project.
“This project will identify sites at risk – such as through demolition, inappropriate reuse or threats to site integrity – and develop concrete ways of risk mitigation to safeguard the record for the future. It brings the IHRA together with international conservation NGOs to develop best practice approaches to the preservation of physical, authentic sites such as camps, mass graves and ghettos.”
To help inform the development of their guidelines, the project group will visit five main sites, as well as visit smaller sites through various activities. It will also monitor the development of five sites the IHRA has already identified in its work: Jasenovac, Lety u Pisku, Komárom, Staro Sajmiste, and the Vilnius ghetto library. Information and materials will be shared through online activities.
Current members of the project core team are: Project Chair, Gilly Carr (AWG/UK), Project co-Chair, Steven Cooke (MMWG/Australia), Heidemarie Uhl (MMWG/Austria), Zoltan Toth-Heinemann (MMWG/Hungary), Martin Winstone (EWG/UK), Bruno Boyer (MMWG/France), Ilja Lenskis (AWG/Latvia), Christian Wee (MMWG/Norway), Karel Fracapane (UNESCO), Nevena Bajalica (EWG/Serbia), Paul Hagouel (AWG/Greece), Anna Vratalkova (EWG/Czech Republic), Frank Schroeder (MMWG/Luxembourg).
