Fifteen stories with the same past and a single purpose were exposed in Argentina
"Traces to Remember" in the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires
Keeping alive the memory of the Shoah is the objective that united the Global Embassy of Peace Activists (GEAP) and the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires, in a commemorative event to evoke this dark chapter of history through the testimony of the Survivors, in order to promote Holocaust teachings to prevent genocide.
Through the GEAP Project "Traces to Remember", were unveiled in the mentioned historical center, five plates with the impression of the palm prints and a brief description of the history of the survivors of the Holocaust, Isaac Zafran, Jaime Urszansky, Rebeca Raquel Fiszman and her husband Motel Mesyngier (both 101 years old).
These plaques were displayed along with ten others, which represent strong evidence that Nazism could not extinguish the Hebrew people; testimonies that today have as purpose to keep alive the memory of this event to avoid the reiteration of acts that attempt against humanity, which contributes to education for peace.
The President of the Museum, Mr. Gustavo Zakkal; the President of the Delegation of Argentinean Israeli Associations (DAIA), Mr. Julio Schlosser; and Dr. William Soto, GEAP World Ambassador, family members of Holocaust survivors, members of the Jewish community and the general public also present.
Remembering the past to build peace
Mr. Gustavo Zakkal spoke the importance of transmitting the memory of the Holocaust as a legacy to young generations; at the same time, he indicated that carrying this message is worthy work that also honors the survivors and keeps them alive.
For his part, Dr. Soto expressed:
«Today more than ever we have an obligation to remember the past, learn its lessons and apply them to the present, in order to secure the future of our peoples based on justice, truth, harmony and equity. Remembering our history and respecting human dignity will allow us to build a culture of peace.».
Significantly, Mr. Isaac Zafran, as living testimony to the Holocaust, proclaimed: "... I want to say to never forget, to tell our children to never forget this massacre."
To conclude the speeches, Mr. Julio Schlosser, President of the DAIA, took the words of the survivors and highlighted them as an example of life remembering this tragic event to work for the future: "The past to remember, to think and not to forget, but looking to the future; so that it is not the past that governs our lives, but a future of love and peace,” he said.
Committed to a future of peace
The Museum, venue of the event, has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest by the Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, for its constant effort and contribution to incorporate the Holocaust theme into education as a privileged way of recovering history, prevent the repetition of racist and violent acts that threaten humanity again and again.
Similarly, GEAP develops the “Traces for Remember” Project in various Latin American countries, with the aim of keeping alive the testimony of the survivors of the Holocaust to transmit to present and future generations the universal lessons of this lamentable chapter that by its characteristics and conditions divided the history of humanity in a before and after.
In addition, GEAP promotes University Forums "Educating to Remember" with the purpose of establishing the teaching of the Holocaust as a paradigm of genocide as a subject of study in schools, colleges, and universities as a transversal chair; to educate in the recognition and respect of Human Rights, in order to avoid genocidal acts and build a culture of peace.
These initiatives are framed in United Nations Resolution 60/7 of 1 November 2005, which "urges Member States to develop educational programs to instill future generations of Holocaust education in order to help prevent acts of genocide in the future."
