The 'Memory of the Nation' Theatrical Production Competition

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, in cooperation with the Youth Parliament of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, held the "Memory of the Nation" theatrical festival and competition dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims. The initiative aimed to preserve the memory of the events of the Great Patriotic War and the tragedy of the Holocaust. The event was also co-organized and supported by MGIMO University, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, the Russian Peace Foundation, and the Russian Union of Jewish Students.

The competition, which features both regional and federal stages, was open to youth creative ensembles across Russia. Participants submitted their entries to regional organizing committees, with the finalists presenting their performances in Moscow.

The 2018 competition winner, receiving the award for "Best Performance," was the only theatrical studio in Russia established within an orphanage. The production "Memory," presented by the "Detsky Ostrov" (Children's Island) studio of the "Raduga" Ivanovo Special (Correctional) Orphanage, secured the majority of the jury's votes. The organizers and partners of the "Memory of the Nation" competition have announced that the event will henceforth be held annually.

EAJC Director General Haim Ben-Yakov stated: "The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress welcomes the holding of the All-Russian theatrical festival and competition dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims ("Memory of the Nation"). It is the duty of each of us to preserve the memory of the horrific events of the Second World War. Awareness of this terrible tragedy in the history of the Jewish people, and humanity as a whole, must be preserved permanently. We recognize the leading role of the Red Army in defeating Nazi Germany and liberating the death camps, and note that modern Russia has made significant contributions to the study of Holocaust history and the commemoration of its victims. Our duty is to honor the suffering of the victims, the heroism of the victors, and to never forget this unique act of genocide in human history—the six million men, women, and children who were annihilated solely for being born Jewish."