International Tourism Management students recently visited the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. Acting as guest bloggers, second year students Michelle Sarana and Priscilla Acheaw tell us about the experience:
“Located forty minutes from Lincoln, The National Holocaust Centre is the only UK based museum and education centre dedicated exclusively to this important topic. Within our Cultural and Heritage Attractions Management module, we are exploring the themes of dissonant heritage and dark tourism and this visit presented the perfect opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes when operating and managing an attraction that deals with sensitive issue
Despite the chilly November weather, the trip proved to be a real success and along with fellow students we engaged in various activities, such as a tour of the memorial garden and holocaust exhibition. The highlight by far, was the opportunity to listen to the life story of holocaust survivor Steve Mendelsson. His testimony was both emotional and poignant, offering us insights that could not be gained from any lecture.
Equally poignant, was a quote from the Jewish book The Talmud – which records ancient laws – and which is displayed prominently in the main meeting space. The quote was one of the first things we saw when we entered the centre and it reads: “He who saves a single life saves the world entire.” This was a very powerful statement and neatly summed up one of the key themes of our day, as upon arrival we were challenged to think about some images from 1930s Germany. These historical images showed both perpetrators and onlookers: it forced us to question ourselves, what would we have done if we were there? This task didn’t ask us to place blame, but we recognise that everyone has a choice and the choices made are up to us.
The Talmud quote really did sum up the entire experience. We knew the trip was going to make us reflect on our lives, but it encouraged us to think more deeply about the holocaust than we had previously, as well as challenging us to think critically about why this historic event is still capturing the hearts of many to this day
Walking around the exhibition, we shed a tear listening to the testimony of Steve and the other survivors. It showed us how dark some visitor attractions can be, but most importantly, it reinforced how it only takes the stand of one person to make a change for the better, because, “he who saves a single life saves the world entire.”