Czech Presidency organised an event in Brussels focusing on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life
25.11.2022 / 09:30 | Aktualizováno: 30.11.2022 / 12:39
An expert discussion on Nazi memorabilia, the opening of an exhibition of photographs from the Terezín ghetto and a screening of the film The Painted Bird. All this was part of an event aimed at combating antisemitism, which took place on 24 November at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in Brussels within the framework of the Czech Presidency.
The meeting was attended by representatives of governments, police officers and prosecutors, as well as representatives of the Permanent Representations of EU Member States and EU institutions, academics and the non-profit sector. Representatives of European institutions and Jewish umbrella organisations were also invited.
The two-part expert meeting, titled „Nazi memorabilia and their misuse for antisemitic ends“ focused in its panels on the multi-faceted issue of Nazi memorabilia and aimed to open a discussion on common understanding of the approaches across the EU in the law enforcement, policy, and academic communities and Jewish umbrella organisations.
"The fight against anti-Semitism was, is, and always will be essential and a priority for the Czech Republic. We as politicians and policy makers have an obligation to face these challenges and bring solutions that will help society to be resistant to hate. That is why it is also reflected in the activities within the framework of our presidency of the Council of the EU," said Interior Minister Vít Rakušan in a video greeting.
The expert meeting was followed by the opening of an exhibition „Album G. T.“ which featured a series of photographs from the Terezín Ghetto found in the estate of the journalist Milan Weiner, in the presence of the director of The Memorial of Silence Pavel Štingl and the Czech Ambassador Edita Hrdá.
The day-long programme ended with a screening of the film The Painted Bird and a discussion with its director Václav Marhoul and actress Jitka Čvančarová, who played one of the main roles in the film.
The expert meeting was organised by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU. The cultural programme was organised by the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, with thanks to the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the Czech Centre Brussels, the Memorial of Silence, and Silver Screen Company.