"The unprocessed memory of the Shaoh. Transgenerational transmission of trauma". - the third meeting of this year's edition of our educational project

On 14.06.2024 at the Mszana Dolna Town Hall, the 3rd meeting, and the 4th event, of the 3rd edition of our educational project 'The Story of the Bicultural, Pre-War Mszana Dolna' took place. It concerned the unprocessed memory of the Holocaust and the transgenerational transmission of trauma.

We were introduced to the topic by Rachela Antosz-Rekucka, a psychologist and doctoral student at the Doctoral School in the Social Sciences at the Jagiellonian University. She began her lecture with general talk about trauma itself, its mechanisms, but also the misuse of the word, which should be reserved for really serious situations.

The Holocaust was undoubtedly such a situation, and here there was a reflection on the various ways of dealing with traumatic memories, revealing them, but also concealing them as too terrible to remember them and burden others. There was talk about the destructive impact of silence, especially so-called conspiracy of silence in families, local and national environments. And finally, whether - and how - this wounded memory is passed on to the next generation and ways of preventing/coping with traumatic experiences.

Trauma affects not only its survivors, but also witnesses and perpetrators. This is why it is such an important issue, as whole families and wider communities sometimes live under the shadow of terrible events from the past.

The assembled audience, encouraged by the presenter, contributed vividly to the narrative, adding their own experiences, insights and reflections. At the end, there was the traditional refreshment of Shabbat challah and other delicacies.

The lecture was preceded by a traditional Jewish song about waiting for the coming of the Messiah, 'Shnirele perele', performed by Jakub Antosz-Rekucki, accompanied by accordion. It tells the story of waiting for and believing in the coming of the Messiah, while wearing a string of pearls - successive events, expectations and longings. This was not a random choice - one of the witnesses to the mass execution of Jews in Mszana Dolna on 19.08.1942 compared the row of naked victims seen from a nearby hill to a string of pearls.

Many thanks to all participants and we invite you to the next meeting, on 2.08.2024 at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Library - this time we will move into the enchanted world of Marc Chagall's works!

The event is held under the Honorary Patronage of the City Mayor, Ms Agnieszka Orzeł.

Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage under the Programme of the National Centre for Culture EtnoPolska. Edition 2024.

Photos: Agnieszka Józefiak-Lewandowska