The Holocaust conference was an incredibly insightful and eye-opening experience for students of SHSK and Radley College.
We began the day with a speech from Dame Helen Hyde, who, following some inspiring words on the importance of listening to the testimonies and experiences of others, introduced two talks from leading holocaust academics. We then got to listen to Thomas Harding – “the Einstein Vendetta” – and Tim Cole – “a history of the holocaust in four landscapes”, who took us through their research into both the individual stories and the wider European perspective of the Holocaust.
Students then had the privilege of eating lunch with a number of Holocaust survivors who each experienced persecution in different ways across Europe throughout the 20th century, giving individual talks on their experiences under Nazi occupation. Whilst incredibly harrowing, we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to hear these inspiring testimonies in person and discuss the ongoing need for protection and prevention of genocide. For the entirety of Upper Sixth, this day was extremely memorable and inspiring. It reinforced not only the historical significance of the Holocaust, but also the importance of standing up against prejudice in all its forms.
