Preserving Memory: Holocaust Sites of Commemoration in the Czech Republic

Holocaust monuments and memorials in the territory of the Czech Republic today reflect the turbulent history of the 20th century, the evolving relationship to this tragedy, and a wide range of artistic approaches. This book explores the contrast between the official culture of remembrance in the postwar decades, which marginalized the Jewish and Romani identities of the victims, and the inclusive approaches to creating monuments that developed after the fall of the communist regime. The individual studies examine both the major sites such as Terezín Memorial and the Pinkas Synagogue in Prague, as well as more than six hundred additional objects documented during a multi-year research project devoted to collective Holocaust monuments and memorials in the Czech lands. Particular emphasis is placed on the historical and political circumstances surrounding the establishment of these commemorative sites, the iconographic motifs employed, and the events associated with their so-called second life, including commemorative rituals.