In March 2024, the National Holocaust Museum opened in NL. This was a complex but impressive opening, of a museum with a complex story, place and constituency, in an extremely complex time.
This event had multiple complex objectives:
– Because the museum itself is situated on a site of great significance (in a former school, where 600 children were rescued from deportation), it is a relatively small museum, and it could not accommodate all the guests who should be present at this opening (without choosing between e.g. survivors and concerned partners).
– It was of great importance that besides an opening for all their guests, it should also be an opening for all Dutch people, as they are ultimately the intended visitors. The client had therefore entered a partnership with the public broadcaster, which meant that the opening had to be experienced live not only for the guests present but also via television.
– We had to take into account the complex subject, the various guests of honor and the complex context of the current times/conflicts (Israel/Gaza), including the accompanied safety risks.
The lack of space prevented an opening in the museum, but we included this as a strength of the concept. So, where else can you safely receive guests, including the King, and make the emotional story tangible for television?
We included two locations that are also part of JCK, with the Portuguese Synagogue making the most sense to welcome guests. From there they experienced an interactive program, with various performances, videos and speeches. The story of the museum was told by seven teenagers, as a symbol for the next generation to pass on history. Ultimately, the King, together with a survivor and his great-grandchild (again: next generation), performed the official and symbolic opening at the entrance of NHM (while everyone could follow this live), making it clear for whom the National Holocaust Museum opened its doors.
