Remembering Kristallnacht in Hong Kong
This weekend (November 9 and 10) marks the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass), a pivotal moment in the Nazi persecution of Jews. What began as nonviolent discrimination escalated dramatically during those two days in 1938, when Gestapo-led mobs violently destroyed Jewish businesses and homes, resulting in 91 deaths and the arrest of 30,000 Jewish men. Over 200 synagogues were set ablaze, while firefighters were ordered to let them burn.
In remembrance of this tragic event, HKHTC’s Executive Director and USC Shoah Foundation’s Senior Fellow, Simon K. Li, delivered a lecture titled “Remembering Kristallnacht” to the local Chinese community. The audience engaged deeply, raising important questions about Kristallnacht, the Holocaust, and the rising tide of antisemitism globally.
Join us in reflecting on this dark chapter of history and its relevance today.
HKHTC Condemns Antisemitic Violence in Amsterdam
The Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre (HKHTC) strongly condemns the antisemitic violence against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam, where individuals were brutally targeted in a so-called “Jew hunt.” This horrendous attack reflects a troubling resurgence of hatred that resonates globally.
This weekend marks the commemoration of Kristallnacht, a poignant reminder of the dangers of antisemitism. As our local Chinese community recently remembered this tragic event through HKHTC’s programming on the pogrom’s 86th anniversary, we are reminded of the urgent need to confront hatred in all its forms. The violence we witness today not only threatens Jewish communities but undermines the integrity of society as a whole.
We call on leaders and citizens worldwide to unite against antisemitism and reject all forms of hate. It is our shared responsibility to promote understanding and solidarity to build a more inclusive and respectful world for everyone.
As the only major Holocaust and tolerance centre located between Jerusalem and Sydney, the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre serves as a vital resource for advancing Holocaust education and fostering a culture of tolerance in a region that encompasses 60% of humanity. Dedicated to educating students and teachers about the Holocaust and other atrocities, HKHTC plays a crucial role in promoting understanding and empathy, aiming to cultivate a more inclusive society. Through our innovative initiatives, we seek to expand our regional impact and ensure that the lessons of history resonate deeply within communities. For more information, visit hkhtc.org.
HKHTC: Working with Media to Promote Responsible Reporting
In response to the recent use of Nazi era uniforms and the Nazi salute at a public event in Hong Kong and subsequent insensitive reporting by local journalists, the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre (HKHTC) has taken proactive steps to address the highly disrespectful and problematic situation, to avoid any repetition.
Working in collaboration with relevant media parties, the HKHTC has committed to providing Cantonese-language educational workshops for their editorial team. These workshops, scheduled to take place this month, will focus on enhancing awareness of the Holocaust and antisemitism, aiming to improve sensitivity and understanding among media professionals. The HKHTC plans to offer regular, ongoing training and workshops as a follow-up to these initial sessions.
The media company concerned has issued a public apology and removed the offensive content from its platform. In addition to this, the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association (HKJA) has also reiterated the importance of responsible reporting and reminded all major online media outlets to exercise extra caution during live broadcasts to prevent similar incidents.
The HKHTC strongly condemns all forms of prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination, reaffirming that such behaviour is unacceptable in Hong Kong, a diverse, inclusive and law-abiding society.
香港猶太大屠殺及寬容中心針對最近在香港一個公開活動中出現納粹
本中心與相關傳媒機構合作,
有關媒體機構已公開道歉,並從其平台上刪除冒犯性內容。
香港猶太大屠殺及寬容中心強烈譴責一切形式的偏見、
Condemnation of the Use of Nazi Symbols at a Public Event in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre strongly condemns the use of Nazi era uniforms and the Nazi salute at a recent public event in Hong Kong. The actions were highly insensitive and disrespectful, as these symbols are reflective of the genocidal crimes of the Nazi regime and its profoundly dehumanising, antisemitic and racist ideology. The use of Nazi symbols in popular culture is deeply problematic and must not be tolerated.
These symbols of hate, ignorance and bigotry have no place in an open and tolerant society that is respectful of different faiths, cultures and traditions. Event organisers should take immediate action when confronted with such displays, as the use of Nazi symbols is not acceptable in any setting.
During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany and its allies persecuted, discriminated, expelled and murdered Jews and members of other minority groups. Over six million Jews were murdered. We call on all members of the community to refrain from trivialising or glamorising these historical atrocities.
香港猶太大屠殺及寬容中心強烈譴責最近在香港一個公開活動中使用
這些仇恨、無知和偏執的象徵在一個尊重不同信仰、
在猶太大屠殺期間,
HKHTC Public Education Event Series: Online Tour of the VR-Secret Annex in the Anne Frank House
ONLINE TOUR OF THE VR-SECRET ANNEX IN THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE
HKHTC Public Education Events Series
14 October 2024, 6:00 PM HKT
All are welcome. Please join us via:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Passcode: AnneFrank
This special online event is free and open to all. No advance registration is required; the event can accommodate up to 100 attendees, and participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If it reaches capacity, we will attempt to make a recording available after the event.
Anne Frank’s life and words continue to have powerful meaning for young people around the world. This interactive presentation offers an online tour of the VR-Secret Annex in the Anne Frank House as an example of an online resource that can be used to prepare students to read and comprehend The Diary of a Young Girl within the larger historical framework of the Holocaust. Led by a senior educator from the Anne Frank House, this interactive presentation will leave time for Q&A. Prior to the virtual tour, please view the powerful documentary “The Short Life of Anne Frank” to prepare for the programme.
Let’s explore this historic location in 360 degrees and engage in discussions about Anne Frank’s diary and the people involved in her story.
Presenter:
Aaron Peterer has been working for the Anne Frank House since 2002. Being Austrian he had the opportunity to do his civil service in the form of a memorial service for 14 months at the Anne Frank House. After completion of his service he continued working in the International Department of the Anne Frank House. Today he is a Project Manager in the Educational Projects Department. He has worked in Western, as well as in non-Western educational and cultural settings. He co-conceptualized the Free2choose-Create and Memory Walk film workshops, where students create debate films on memorialization. These educational projects are implemented all across the globe in cooperation with partner organizations. He also works as a freelance film maker mainly producing educational documentaries. Aaron holds a degree in Comparative Arts and Media Studies from the Free University of Amsterdam.
We look forward to your attendence at this special online event hosted by the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre (HKHTC).
Supported by: Anne Frank House
HKHTC-HKU Public Lecture: The Holocaust and Its Legacies in Contemporary Germany
We were excited to co-organise a public lecture titled “The Holocaust and Its Legacies in Contemporary Germany,” featuring HKHTC Chairman, Dr Roland Vogt on 7 October 2024. This lecture explored the ongoing impact of the Holocaust on German society and its evolving significance in a diverse Europe.
Please see the above poster for details.
‘Escape and Survival Through Art’ Webinar | Genocide Awareness Month Series
ESCAPE AND SURVIVAL THROUGH ART
HKHTC Webinar – Genocide Awareness Month Series
10 April 2024, 8:00 PM HKT/SGT and 10:00 PM AEDT
All are welcome. Please join us via:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88179169011
Spanning three continents, Eva de Jong Duldig’s improbable story of survival and ultimate settlement in Australia via Singapore illustrates the destructive influence of ethnoreligious intolerance and the capacity to rebuild after unforeseen trauma.
The Duldig family thrived in Vienna prior to World War II. Eva’s mother, Slawa, invented the modern foldable umbrella and her father, Karl, was a sportsman and artist whose work can be seen in museums across the world.
After the Anschluss of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, the Duldigs fled Europe. A story that has been turned into an award winning memoir and musical, Eva will share her family’s experience during the Holocaust, their time in Singapore and a wartime internment camp in Tatura, Australia, as well as her journey to becoming an elite tennis player, participating in Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
We look forward to your attendence at this special webinar event hosted by the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre (HKHTC).
Supported by: The Fritz Ascher Society for Persecuted, Ostracized and Banned Art (FAS)
Screening HKHTC-supported Holocaust Films @ HK Jewish Film Festival 2024
The public screenings took place in person at the Golden Scene Cinema at 2 Catchick St, Kennedy Town. Please see the list below for film descriptions.
We hope you will be able to join us again next year!
Supported Films 2024
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