Victims of Holocaust commemorated in Tallinn

TALLINN - On Saturday, Jan. 27, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day was marked all over the world. On this occasion, the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Estonian Jewish Community, held an official commemoration ceremony at the Rahumae Jewish cemetery in Tallinn on Monday.

Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, representing the Estonian government, said in his speech that also today, unfortunately, we can see ideologies and trends that threaten what is paramount -- humanity and compassion, the Ministry of Education and Research said in a press release.

"Just as we hope for a better future, we will never forget the victims of the Holocaust. Let us bow our heads today in remembrance of those who perished -- this is our silent yet powerful message to avoid unkindness. Here, we remember and collectively stand against evil," Purga said.

In addition to the minister, the Czech ambassador and elder of the diplomatic corps David Kral, the first secretary and consul of the Israeli embassy Moriah Kollender, and the chairwoman of the Estonian Jewish Community Alla Jakobson made speeches at the ceremony.

The prayer was given by Estonia's Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kot.

The ceremony was coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research.

Also on Monday, the exhibition "Meeting in Vienna. Ouriel Morgensztern" was opened at the Estonian Jewish Community House in Tallinn. The exhibition arrived in Estonia from the Jewish Museum in Vienna and its display is supported by the Austrian embassy in Tallinn.

On Saturday, Jan. 27, a seminar aimed at teachers took place at the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory with the goal of inspiring teachers to create new educational materials on the Holocaust and the history of other crimes against humanity, as well as human rights protection.

The seminar is part of an annual educational materials competition coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory. The results of the competition will be announced on March 25, and the winning works will be published on the institute's website and the E-koolikott digital learning material portal.