Opening of New Permanent Exhibition SHOAH in Block 27 at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev guiding Prime Minister Netanyahu and Rabbi Lau, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, through the exhibition
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13 June 2013

On Thursday, June 13, 2013 the new Permanent Exhibition SHOAH at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Block 27 was opened in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other Israeli government ministers, Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski, Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr Cywinski, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate and exhibition curator Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council Rabbi Israel Meir Lau and Holocaust survivors.

Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev said, “The new exhibition SHOAH presents the main elements of the Holocaust, placing the murder at Auschwitz-Birkenau in the larger context of the Nazis’ systematic attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. The Polish State Museum and its guides believe that this unique concept will complement its other exhibitions by providing an added dimension that was previously absent. By placing the individual at its center, the exhibition presents the main elements of the Holocaust in a unique way. Chapter by chapter, the display presents the major themes, not through purely historical means, but rather conveys a profound ethical-cultural perspective of Holocaust remembrance."

The New Permanent Exhibition SHOAH in Block 27 at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum was curated, designed and built by Yad Vashem, in coordination with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The old exhibition, dating to the Communist-era, had become outdated, both in terms of content as well as of display, and most visitors to the camp chose not to enter it at all. In 2005, following a visit by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Yad Vashem was mandated by the State of Israel to undertake the renewal of the exhibition. The renovation was funded by the State of Israel with assistance from the Claims Conference. Learn more about the exhibition.

Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev guiding Prime Minister Netanyahu and Rabbi Lau, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, through the exhibition

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Prime Minister Netanyahu, Government Ministers and Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev watch Holocaust survivor testimonies at the exhibition

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

(From left) Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council Rabbi Lau, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev and Government Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz view an exhibit

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Rabbi Lau, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, looking at the Book of Names at the new permanent exhibition SHOAH in Block 27 at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Rabbi Lau, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, looking at the Book of Names at the new permanent exhibition SHOAH in Block 27 at Auschwitz-Birkenau. <a href="https://www.yadvashem.org/museum/book-of-names.html">Learn more about the Book of Names</a>

Prayer at the opening ceremony

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski speaking at the opening ceremony

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Dr. Piotr Cywiński speaking at the opening ceremony

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Yad Vashem Chairman and exhibition curator Avner Shalev speaking at the opening of the new permanent exhibition SHOAH in Block 27 at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Photo credit: Paweł Sawicki, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum