Centropa preserves Jewish stories and memories in Central and Eastern Europe. Through interviews, films, and educational programs, the organization promotes understanding of Jewish heritage and combats antisemitism. It focuses on digital archiving and international cooperation.
Centropa is an organization dedicated since 2000 to the preservation and transmission of Jewish stories and memories in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and other regions. The core of our work consists of comprehensive interviews with over 1,200 older Jewish survivors from 15 countries, living between the Baltic and the Aegean. These interviews, which can last up to 20 hours per respondent, provide deep insights into the world in which these people grew up and the world they rebuilt for their families after the war. The interviews are audio recorded, transcribed, translated, and stored in a searchable online database called “Jewish Witness to a European Century”[5].
The main mission of Centropa is to preserve and share the Jewish memories and stories of the 20th century, thereby strengthening the connection to the countries of Jewish origin. A central value is combating antisemitism and Holocaust denial by creating educational programs that are conducted and shared by the students themselves. By involving teachers, museum educators, and educational experts in our development processes, we ensure that our programs are practical and effective[5].
Centropa is committed to long-term sustainability in education and memory culture. This includes:
Through these efforts, Centropa contributes to preserving the cultural heritage of Jewish communities and creating a global community committed to the preservation of memories and the promotion of understanding and respect.
