Our chance to make a unique and individual contribution to new UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London
We are very proud to be one of the supporters of Foundation Stones, inviting people across the UK to paint a commemorative stone to be placed within the foundations of the new UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Westminster. The memorial will be built in remembrance of the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust and all other victims of Nazi persecution.
Although It is estimated that more than 500,000 European Roma and Sinti were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, this genocide is still largely unknown. The new UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre will be a place to remember them and to educate people about all victims of Nazi persecution.
Everyone who paints a Foundation Stone will be making a commitment to learn from the past and to build a future free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination and hatred. The project is aimed at schools, communities and individuals across the UK.
Painted stones might commemorate an individual, represent the community taking part, depict a scene of peace or beauty or say something about hopes for the future. Each design will be individual and represent a unique contribution to British remembrance of the Holocaust.
The Romani Cultural and Arts Company is proud to be working alongside Big Ideas to make sure that the Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are represented in the Learning Centre.
“Big Ideas is delighted to be working with the Romani Cultural and Arts Company on the Foundation Stones project. It is so important that Romani communities have a chance to make a contribution to this important new Memorial and that the fate of the European Roma and Sinti at the hands of the Nazis is better understood and commemorated” said Dr Virginia Crompton, CEO Big Ideas.
Foundation Stones is funded by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and delivered by Big Ideas. If you would like to take part, please email FoundationStones@big-ideas.org for a free digital resource pack. All stones received will be showcased on www.big-ideas.org/foundation-stones-map/ and laid within the Memorial’s foundations.
Isaac Blake, Director of the Romani Cultural and Arts Company says: “It is important that, alongside remembering the Holocaust, we remember all victims of Nazi persecution, including Europe’s Roma and Sinti whose suffering is less well known. The new Memorial will remember other victims too and I am delighted that members of our thriving Roma community here in Wales will have the opportunity to make their own personal contributions to the Memorial in this powerful way.”