In 2023, the Terezín Memorial began focusing in its educational agenda on the “second generation” – the descendants of Shoah survivors. This initiative was spearheaded by Marta Malá, Director of the Endowment Fund for Holocaust Victims and Vice-Chair of the Czech Auschwitz Committee. In addition to the Terezín Memorial, she also engaged the Jewish Museum in Prague to collaborate on this project. For the third consecutive year, these partners have been coordinating their efforts to organize both joint and independent educational activities that draw on the experiences and potential of the “second generation.”
As for the Terezín Memorial, its main focus is on discussions with school students during multi-day seminars and teacher-training courses. These initiatives are prepared in collaboration not only with the aforementioned institutions but primarily with the Lidice Memorial. The first educational seminar of this kind was held in 2024. This addressed the impact of the Shoah on post-war generations and also explored the experiences of the descendants of survivors of the Lidice massacre (June 1942).
In early October 2025, representatives from the Terezín Memorial (Jan Špringl) and the Jewish Museum in Prague (Zuzana Pavlovská) shared their experiences and methodological approaches regarding work with the “second generation” at an expert seminar titled “Totalitarian Regimes – The Individual and Collective Transmission of Trauma.” Organized by the Department of Remembrance Agenda of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, the event took place at the Hrzán Palace in Prague’s Hradčany district. In January 2026, a memorandum was signed by the Terezín Memorial, the Jewish Museum in Prague, the Endowment Fund for Holocaust Victims, and the Czech Auschwitz Committee. This document outlines their joint commitment to collaborate with the descendants of Holocaust survivors, with a focus on promoting Holocaust education and combating anti-Semitism. The signing ceremony took place at the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, marking the conclusion of the 21st commemorative gathering honoring International Holocaust Remembrance. Day and the Day of Prevention of Crimes against Humanity.
None of the accomplishments above would have been possible without the kindness and dedication of the many descendants of Shoah survivors born from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. At the beginning, Marta Malá brought together a group of second-generation members who were willing to follow established methodological approaches and share their stories with students and schoolteachers. Over time, more individuals have joined this initiative, and the Terezín Memorial now collaborates with seven second-generation members who participate in discussions as part of its educational programs.
We greatly value this cooperation of all the individuals and organizations involved in the project and look forward to its further development. Indeed, we are already working on a new initiative as part of the project and will be soon providing you with more information about it.
Jan Špringl
