Exhibition: Jewish life during the Holocaust in picture books

Until 5 October 2025, the Lower Saxony Memorial Foundation is presenting the special exhibition ‘DrawnTogether’ at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial in Lohheide – a contribution to global citizenship education. The exhibition, which is sponsored by the Hertie Foundation, was curated by guest researcher Dr Tatia Gruenbaum in the Didactics Department of the Institute of English and American Studies. On display are 22 English-language picture books and 17 editions in German, Italian, French and Dutch. The picture books tell stories of Jewish life during the Holocaust as well as stories of friendship, solidarity and hope.

The exhibition is aimed at children aged eight to 14. A reading guide is provided to help visitors discover each picture book. The aim is to offer a non-traumatising introduction to the subject of the Holocaust beyond the school curriculum. It enables children to look at worlds that may be different from their own and to feel connected to the people depicted. Empathy coupled with understanding could foster the moral courage needed to protect Jewish life in the future.

The title of the exhibition – ‘DrawnTogether’ – is intended to reflect the connection between text and image and symbolise the ‘united power of friendship, solidarity and hope in dark times’.