Exercise 3: Commemorations of Historical Events

Duration: 45 min

Methods: group work, desk research

Materials: access to the Internet and a library Instruction

The worksheet includes examples of the Polish and international commemorations of historical events (the order is consistent with the months of the calendar year). It may be helpful in implementing the theme of genocide education.

Examples of Polish and International Commemorations of Historical Events [1]

• 27 January: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
• 7 April: International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda
• 19 April: Day of remembrance of the Holocaust and Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity
• 24 April: Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
• 14 June: National Remembrance Day for Victims of the German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camps
• 2 August: Roma and Sinti Genocide Remembrance Day 13–14 September: Memorial Day for the Victims of the Gestapo (commemorated in Cracow)
• 9 December: International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

While working in groups, prepare:

• a worksheet with examples of national (from your countries of origin) and international commemorations of historical events that may be helpful in addressing genocide education issues. Ask students a week or two before this class to find and prepare examples of such celebrations. Ask them to bring the list to class.
• indicate which of these commemorations may be controversial (e.g. due to political or historical issues)

Which of these commemorations may be relevant to genocide education (school level, academic level) in the context of the experience of Central and Eastern European countries? Why? With the class, compare the commemoration you found. Prepare the final common list together.