Shortly after the establishment of a democratic system, Memorial staff became acutely aware of the absence of information regarding the Holocaust in Czech schools. In previous decades the topic had been taboo, and the numbers of experts or those knowledgeable about this sad chapter in Czech history were few. The education department was thus created in 1993 with the aim of offering this missing information and study materials to young people, adults and all with an interest.

An educational programme has been developed that concentrates on the problems associated with Terezín, and in particular on the most tragic period between 1939 and 1945, the complexity of which is variable depending on the age group, level of education and length of stay of those with an interest. Its basis has from the very beginning been a tour of the area of the former ghetto, the Gestapo police prison in the Lesser Fortress and the exhibitions, this being complemented by seminars, films and discussions with those who survived the Holocaust.

The work of the department, which has been accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, has undergone significant changes in the 8 years since it was founded. The number of members of the collective and collaborators has increased substantially, and the range of programmes and events offered has also broadened; the overall scope of activity, too, has been enlarged. In 1997 a Meeting Centre was opened in the reconstructed Magdeburg Barracks, and this too is part of the Education department. New study and assembly spaces, accommodation for 44 persons, and a separate kitchen form the facilities vital to the effective organisation of seminars, educational stays and support for their own research for young people and teachers from both the Czech Republic and abroad.

The underlying concept behind the work of the Education department, however, remains the same: not only to make clear to young people the malignancy and results of racism, but also to teach them to understand that themes of interpersonal relationships, tolerance and human dignity in the context of racial equality can never be sidelined.

The main areas in which the department is active are: seminars, methodology, scholarship, editorial activity & publication, competitions, cultural & social events, contacts & further information.

Seminars
From the "classically" arranged programmed described, today there is a marked trend towards more active and creative programmes that emphasise independent activity. In small groups led by a teacher, participants work on particular themes in the study rooms, in the exhibitions and in the field, presenting the results of their research at the end of the course. This approach is particularly interesting for children, especially as they themselves thereby contribute to the programme; they study prepared books, copies of documents, photographs or video sequences that easily introduce them to the fates of people who belonged to a nation that only a few decades ago was marked for destruction. Seminars for adults have undergone a similar development since they were first introduced in 1993, and these are now held primarily for teachers both from the Czech Republic and abroad. A new feature among the events offered in the year 2000 was a three-day seminar for teachers and educational staff held under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Education. The programme entitled "How to teach the Holocaust" has also been prepared for 2001 by the Education department of the Terezín Memorial, in conjunction with the Cultural Centre of the Jewish Museum in Prague and the Museum of Romany Culture in Brno. Similar events for teachers are held every year at an international level, too.

Educational programmes: Please contact us so that we can prepare a programme of the length and content suitable for your needs.
Participants in the educational programme may by arrangement with the Education dept. use the Meeting Centre facilities, which include: