About the Project

From 2000 to 2010, Centropa has compiled 1,200 interviews with Jewish Holocaust survivors in 15 European countries, and digitized 22,000 of their family photos. Based on these stories and photos, we have produced more than 50 short multimedia films and traveling exhibitions that focus on Jewish life, not only the Holocaust.

Trans.History is Centropa’s education program on 20th Century Jewish history for educators and civil society actors in Ukraine, Moldova, the Visegrad countries (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic) and the Caucasus. Together with our local partners, our goal is to connect educators and students to their country’s Jewish history and heritage, and to their neighbors. We believe that cultural exchange is necessary to foster democratic values. Through the trans-national approach of this program, we encourage critical thinking and a balanced culture of remembrance. The program also aims to involve young students from these countries, by offering an annual youth competition that motivates them to explore the Jewish history of their region.

Our three core beliefs:

  • we believe in no borders
  • stories are universal, and connect us all
  • no one can teach a teacher better than a teacher

Our primary target groups:

  • educators and civil society actors (and by extension students) of formal and non-formal education, NGO representatives in Ukraine, Moldova, the Visegrad countries and the Caucasus

Our goals:

  • fostering democratic values such as pluralism, and a critical discussion of 20th and 21st century history, with a special focus on Jewish history, the Holocaust, and safeguarding Jewish heritage
  • promoting active civil society participation through the implementation of youth competitions
  • strengthen interest in local Jewish history and heritage as well as Holocaust Education
  • combat prejudices, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism
  • promoting critical thinking and a balanced culture of remembrance