5 olares 5 points of view

5 olares - 5 points of view Exhibition about Auschwitz The photographic exhibition about Auschwitz took place in Porto, Portugal. The inauguration took place during the mobility under the Erasmus + project “Local Traces of Jewish Life” at 7th December 2015 in the heart of Porto city, near to one of the old Jewish quarters. During our great journey to Poland in April 2015, we visited the Auschwitz – Birkenau concentration camp. The idea to be in such a historically important place, where terrible acts against the Human race had happened, was by itself very emotional. The previous days and hours allowed each one of us to pouder even more deeply about the consequences of intolerance and disrespect regarding difference and human beings. During the visit to the camp, comprihend silence reigned, only the voice of the guide was heard and the message was hard to comprehend. Auschwitz – Birkenau concentration camp is a peaceful place these days, I dare say that it is a beautiful place surrounded by nature far away from urbanity. The reason why it is so placid is not innocence as explained by our guide. Nothing used to be innocent in that camp. I couldn´t talk, I couldn´t speak while reflecting about the words and watchingthe images and places. Each delegation took some photos, trying to record those moments, those feelings, never toforget that the horror had happened once. As we were walking around, stopping, watching, containing tears, I thought that back home, we would have to share the experience with others, telling them the story, remembering history. In Portugal, we have a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words and that´s how the idea of a photographic exhibition came out. We shared the 5 points of view (from Germany, Greece, Portugal, Poland and Romania) we had and we created our story in Auschwitz – Birkenau. A black and white timeline, though timeless, that should remind every one of us not to repeat and not let to repeat the past. We are all responsible in a certain way. Under each picture, we chose some literary excerpts from Jewish authors of each represented country that in some manner did reflect the reality of the images. The exhibition was opened and exposed to the public from December 2015 till the first week of January 2016. In April 2016, it was presented in Haßfurt, Germany. There, once again, we shared our experience in Auschwitz – Birkenau concentration camp with engaged visitors. This activity was a great opportunity to try to create once more a space of dialogue and reflexion on the past to act in the present and ensure a tolerant Future for all, no matter which race, religion or kind of belief. The exhibition is available for those who are interested in receiving it. Suzana Melo, Portugal See also > Rundgang durch Auschwitz