Crocus bulbs - plants that usher the Spring but also remember the millions of Jews killed during the Holocaust

The Crocus Project is an international initiative represented locally by the Malta UNESCO Youth Association, which provides an opportunity to introduce school children to the subject of the Holocaust.

St Benedict College Secondary Boys School Kirkop were provided with these daffodil bulbs.  Students planted them back in November.  Here they are blooming at our school.  These yellow flowers symbolise the yellow Stars of David that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule and were planted in memory of the one and half million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust. In Malta daffodils are used instead, due to the fact that crocus plants do not survive locally.




When these plants bloom, we remember the children who died. But the beautiful flowers also remind us that, even after the most terrible events, new life begins again and we can hope that things will be better than they were before. The flowers remind us that there is still beauty in the world and hope for our future. Planting the flowers is sad, but it is hopeful too.  

The flowers in bloom which were planted back in November by students at St Benedict College Secondary Boys Kirkop.  

Remembering HMD ... What would you do?

Holocaust Memorial Day 2012

Every year on 27 January, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD).  

It’s a time for us to pause to remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust Nazi Persecution, and in subsequent genocides like Rwanda.  

On HMD we ask you to honour the survivors of these regimes of hatred and issue a challenge for us all to use the lessons of their experience to inform your lives today.

HMD is not simply about remembering. It is a time when we seek to learn the lessons of the past and to recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own, it’s a steady process which can begin if discrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented.

It also reminds us of the fragility of democracy and the need for citizens to

be vigilant in the protection of democratic ideals. We remember because we recognize the importance

of preserving freedom, promoting human dignity, and confronting hate whenever and wherever it occurs.

Thank you for speaking up and speaking out for those who remain silent in front of injustice.  

The boys at St Benedict College marked also this important day by preparing various works.  The students worked on an exhibition which features the past, the present and what would some one do to prevent discrimination.  A group of students worked on a model of Auschwitz Concentration camp to represent the fact that it was here that most of the innocent Jews died.  Along with these, a video was created by the students to send a positive message about speaking up and speaking out.  

The students learned that they need to take a stand in order to prevent history not repeating itself.  In fact we must remember that the tragedies that happened in the concentration camps did not start at the camps but started in the streets, in the classes etc where the others decided to remain silent in front of all the hatred against the Jews.   

Elie Wiesel - Holocaust survivor his story (part 2-5)

 

    

Elie Wiesel - a Holocaust Survivor.. His Story

Introduction - the Holocaust

After suffering defeat in the First World War (1914-1918), Germany was left with many economic and social problems.  Thousands of people were hungry and out of work.  The German people hope that their political leaders would solve their problems.  

Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis Regime

During the 1930s, the National Socialists, or Nazis said that they could solve Germany;s problems.  They became very popular and formed government in 1933.  Their leader was Adolf Hitler. 

Hitler and the Nazis did not like anyone objecting to their harsh rules.  They picked on minorities - people of a different cultural background, religion or nationality and made their lives difficult. 

The Nazis main target was to blame the Jewish people.

The star of David is a Jewish symbol and in all the countries where they held power, the Nazis forced the Jews to wear them on their clothing.  This made them to stand out from other people.

The Nazis persecution was one of the most shameful chapter in twentieth century history.  The Nazis sent Jewish families from all over Europe into concentration camps where millions were killed. 

Six Million Jews were murdered.  One and a half million were children.  Nazis also killed people with disability, colour of their skin, faith, sexuality, or because they opposed to Nazis.  

This mass murder is remember as Holocaust.  

It is very important that we never forget this terrible time in European History between 1933 and 1945.  We must make sure we do not allow anyone or any group to murder or harm others because we do not like them or do not agree with their views. 

“Once you know you can never forget”

The Star of David

The Crocus Project is a tangible way to introduce young people to the subject of the Holocaust and to raise awareness about the dangers of discrimination and prejudice.  

Why we plant the yellow flowers

Sadness and Hope
       

The aim of this project is to raise awareness about the dangers of discrimination, prejudice and racism.   The yellow bulbs at St. Benedict College Boys Secondary Kirkop were planted in memory of the 1.5 million Jewish children and thousands of other children who died in the Holocaust.  The yellow flowers recall the yellow stars of David that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule.  It is very important that we never forget this terrible time in European History between 1933 and 1945.  

The yellow flowers planted by the students at St. Benedict College Boys Secondary Kirkop

We must make sure we do not allow anyone or any group of people to murder or harm others because we do not like them or do not agree with their views.