The "Keeping the Memory Alive" Poster Design Competition is a joint project of the Department of Public Information’s Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme and the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. The project is sponsored by the Asper Foundation and endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
The theme of the competition this year was “Keeping the Memory Alive - Our Shared Responsibility", as per the designated theme of the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2018. An international judging panel selected the 12 best posters out of more than 150 submitted by designers and students of design from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Peru, Poland, Russian Federation, Serbia and Slovenia. The display is being mounted across the world to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January.
This original exhibition showcases 12 designers – many of whom hold no personal connection to the Holocaust- who have chosen to recognize the importance of Holocaust education and keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive in today's public discourse across the globe.
International Jury: Shai Abramson, The Asper Foundation; Shulamit Imber, Pedagogical Director, International School for Holocaust Studies, Dr. Eyal Kaminka, Lily Safra Chair for Holocaust Education, Director, International School for Holocaust Studies Yad Vashem; Dr. Kathrin Meyer, Executive Secretary, IHRA; Dorit Novak, Director General, Yad Vashem, Kim Simon, Managing Director, USC Shoah Foundation; David Tartakover, Graphic Artist and Israel Prize Laureate, Israel; Anonymous.
Lesson Plan
What is the Purpose of Memory?
This lesson attempts to address this question looking at the 3 winning posters.
Notes for the Teacher:
- We suggest starting your lesson with examining memory- and why it would be considered important to "Keep Memory Alive." The facilitator could begin with basic questions: What do we remember? Who do we remember? Why do we remember? Why is it important to remember?
- Brainstorm with students any associations they have to the word "Holocaust". To what does it refer? To which period of time is it related?
- If you need a resource to familiarize your students with the definition of the Holocaust, we suggest the short film "What Is The Holocaust?"