Recognizing, Understanding and Responding to Contemporary Antisemitism in Museums and Memorials – A Post-Yugoslav Perspective for the Austrian Context

This interactive workshop will introduce the specifics of Holocaust education and antisemitism-critical work from a post-Yugoslav perspective that is relevant for the Austrian context. It will discuss historical distortion and its connections to nationalism and political populism, and explore the role of antisemitism as well as the shared memory of the Holocaust in the entangled histories of Serbia and Austria. The workshop will address the significance of antisemitism-critical self-reflection and inclusive memories in societies shaped by migration – especially from post-Yugoslav countries to Austria – and examine the challenges and opportunities that arise from the diverse (historical) backgrounds and experiences of museum, memorial and cultural workers as well as visitors.

Terraforming will present examples from its projects in Serbia and beyond: its work in developing educational resources, mapping capacities for recognizing antisemitism as well as anti-Roma racism, amplifying young Jewish and Roma voices, creating graphic novels about the Holocaust, and connecting global history with local microhistories.

Participants will think together about activities that may be adapted to the contexts of the museums, memorials and cultural institutions/organisations they work in.

 

Terraforming is an independent, non-profit organization based in Novi Sad, Serbia, working across Europe since 2008. It develops innovative educational methods and materials to improve Holocaust education and counter antisemitism, antigypsyism, and historical distortion. Combining contemporary pedagogy with new media, Terraforming fosters international collaboration and supports educators, museum professionals, archivists, and community leaders. With over 15 years of experience, it is a recognized leader in raising awareness and educating about the Holocaust and antisemitism in the Balkans and Southeast Europe.

Miško Stanišić is the director and co-founder of Terraforming. He plays a key role in developing long-term strategies and project activities that aim to promote and enhance teaching and learning about the Holocaust. His work focuses on combating antisemitism and antigypsyism, as well as addressing Holocaust distortion and the abuse of history for nationalist propaganda. Miško’s initiatives target memory professionals, archivists, librarians, museum workers, policymakers, teachers, and students in Serbia and internationally.
Over more than 20 years in memorialization and education, Miško has developed numerous resources, exhibitions, training courses, and internationally acclaimed projects.
He is the founder and president of the Center for Combating Antisemitism and Intolerance CBA. As a member of the delegation of the Republic of Serbia to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance IHRA, he participates in the Education Working Group and Committee for the Genocide of the Roma. Miško was a member of the European Network for Countering Antisemitism Through Education (ENCATE) steering committee and is currently a spokesperson for the European Practitioners Network Against Antisemitism (EPNA).

Nevena Bajalica is a cultural professional, educator, and project leader with extensive international experience in Holocaust education, human rights, and combating discrimination. She is the Programme Manager and Co-founder of the Serbian NGO Terraforming, where, since 2010, she has led international projects on cultural exchange, Holocaust remembrance, and inclusive memory culture.
A long-standing member of the Serbian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and its Working Group for Memorials and Museums, she has also coordinated and contributed to major initiatives with institutions such as the Anne Frank House and the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation (NIOD).
She has co-authored educational resources to combat antisemitism, contributed to UNESCO/OSCE guidelines on addressing antisemitism, and developed innovative educational tools such as the Ester graphic novels, the “UP2US” antisemitism mapping project, and the “Inclusive Remembrance” initiative promoting minority voices in Holocaust memory.

This workshop series was commissioned by the Ministry of Education.

Workshopreihe: Antisemitismuskritische Bildungsarbeit an Museen und Gedenkstätten

Organisiert wird die Workshopreihe von der IG Antisemitismuskritik im Auftrag des Bildungsministeriums. Die Workshopreihe richtet sich insbesondere an VermittlerInnen an Museen und Gedenkstätten sowie an alle Interessierten aus dem Museums- und Kulturbereich. Ziel der Workshops ist es, mit VermittlerInnen an Gedenkstätten und Museen die Grundsätze und Qualitätsmerkmale antisemitismuskritischer Bildungsarbeit zu erarbeiten und zu diskutieren und Antisemitismuskritik als berufliche Kompetenz in der Arbeit mit SchülerInnen zu stärken.

Die Workshops bauen nicht aufeinander auf, sondern ergänzen einander und können unabhängig voneinander besucht werden. Anmeldungen werden  unter ig.antisemitismuskritik@gmail.com entgegengenommen. Die Teilnahme an den Workshops ist kostenlos.