"Today I learned..." What the school discussions about the Romani Holocaust achieved.

The Survivors' Stories program by Slovo 21 revisited one of the darkest chapters of Romani history: the Holocaust. Through theatrical performances, exhibitions, and educational programs, it sought to confront historical events that we must not forget. This time, the program is not being reviewed by the organizers or lecturers, but by those for whom it was created—the students. Their own words show the impact that discussions about the Romani Holocaust had on them.

"Lety u Písku isn't even that far away, yet the history of the camp was news to me," notes one of the students, Tomáš. From his words, as well as the comments of others, it is clear how few opportunities primary and secondary school students have to learn about the Romani Holocaust. "Today I learned that there was a Romani Holocaust in the Czech Republic," says Klára.

The Survivors' Stories program was born from the conviction that the Romani Holocaust must not remain a forgotten chapter of history. Awareness of the events of the Second World War should reach the younger generation as well. That is why we brought discussions titled Memento Mori into schools, bringing history closer to children and young people through sensitive storytelling. In addition to the discussions, a theatrical performance was created, featuring descendants of Romani Holocaust survivors. Personal stories can reach people in a way that dates and facts cannot—they help us understand that behind every historical event were real people whose lives were irrevocably changed by hatred and discrimination.

"The discussion about the Romani Holocaust struck me mainly because we didn't just hear historical facts, but real personal stories of families who still carry the consequences to this day. I realized that the Romani Holocaust is a topic that is talked about much less than other events of the Second World War, even though it caused immense suffering," writes Štěpán in his feedback.

 "We also discussed the later treatment of the Roma, for example during the communist regime. There aren't many chances to hear from someone firsthand what really happened," adds Tomáš. 

During the two-year project, we managed to hold 10 school discussions, attended by nearly 200 children. More than 400 spectators had the opportunity to see the theatrical performance. The exhibition, created in cooperation with the Museum of Romani Culture, which processed the testimonies of Roma interned at the Lety u Písku camp, was visited by over 7,000 people, and over 500 children participated in the accompanying programs.

The project ended this June. But what remains is better shown by the words of the children who participated in the discussions than by numbers. Their feedback is the best proof that sharing the stories of Romani Holocaust survivors is meaningful for today's young generation as well.

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