EDUCATIONAL MORNINGS Educational Mornings. It is a program tionalities, races and religions. Through Educational Mornings through which we want to speak out to the introduction of film medium as a the youth about the atrocities of the Hol- platform for the education about the Hol- ocaust in order to help them learn more ocaust and by choosing feature or doc- from this tragic period of world history umentary film of high artistic and edu- The Jewish Film Festival Asso- ly and timely condemned by the public so they could better comprehend the cational value for each year, young ciation is a non-profit, non-governmen- and authorized institutions. need of accepting diversities and treat people are given an opportunity to ex- tal organization which has been direct- Through program activities, we are each human being as an individual wor- pand their knowledge about the Holo- ing its work to offering high quality working on preventing the discrimina- thy of respect. caust through a medium they can relate cultural and educational programs for a tion, racism, homophobia, xenophobia There are two models of the program. to and which is understandable to them. whole number of years, thus striving to and violation of rights of minority The first model is intended for pupils of This also opens up a platform for dis- make itself closer to a great number of groups, aiming to develop a society in seventh and eighth grades of elementa- cussions which, after the lectures, moti- beneficiaries. Our aspiration is to be- which the majority does not perceive the ry schools and first grades of high vate pupils and students to contemplate. come the leading platform for convey- minority as a threat to its identity. The schools, and these programs are led by Through the discussions with partici- ing the experiences from the past with most prominent and extensive activity Branko Lustig, the President of the Fes- pants of the program, we have realized the help of values of contemporary cre- of the Association is realized through tival of Tolerance, Holocaust survivor, that until the implementation of the pro- ation, whose message the participants in the Festival of Tolerance, which is held one of the initiators of the USC Shoah gram they knew little or nothing about the programs recognize and expand to in , in the cities of Zagreb and Ri- Foundation in and two-time , and that after the film and their environment. It is our intention to jeka, and regionally in Bosnia and Her- Academy Award winner for the films lecture they have a completely different be a positive example with the initiative zegovina (Sarajevo), Slovenia (Ljublja- “Schindler’s List” and “Gladiator”, who comprehension of this subject. Over the by which one minority group promotes na), Serbia (Belgrade) and Montenegro is sometimes accompanied by other guest years, Educational Mornings have at- the rights of others. We actively develop (Cetinje, Podgorica), while Festival pro- lecturers. The second model is intend- tracted the attention of public and me- the civil dialogue and non-institutional grams were also presented in Vienna. ed for remaining high school pupils, stu- dia and they have become recognized as education, especially of the youth, about What makes our programs unique is dents and general public, and those pro- one of the best examples of non-institu- the tolerance and acceptance of diversi- the commitment to the subject of the grams are led by renowned foreign tional education about the Holocaust ties as a fundamental driving force of a Holocaust and to education of all gen- lecturers who are, in their work, engaged and tolerance by authorized institutions healthy society, doing so through drawing erations, especially schoolchildren, in education on the Holocaust and ex- in the Republic of Croatia. the attention to frequent appearances of through various lectures and workshops. tremism and film as a medium through Through seven years of existence, the manipulation of the Nazi ideology for Believing in raising the awareness about which they convey the most important Educational Mornings were attended by the purpose of promoting the unity in the tolerance through permanent en- message of the Holocaust survivors: “It almost 16, 500 pupils from 370 schools the name of false patriotism and glori- lightenment and realizing the signifi- must not be forgotten!” from all over the Republic of Croatia and fication of the nation. We are convinced cance of special care for youth as the Special emphasis at the lectures is put region, as well as students and teachers that it is possible to fight against the most important segment in development on the promotion of tolerance, accept- who always evaluate this program with speech of hatred and prejudices, mak- of a democratic society, the Festival es- ance of diversities and harmonious co- the highest possible grade. ing sure that every such incident is clear- tablished an educational program named existence of members of different na- Brief review of the Educational Mornings 2009 - 2015

Former lecturers at the Educational Mornings:

Branko Lustig

President of the Festival of Tolerance and Founder and director of the Victims of famous film producer. During his Holocaust Memorial Service. He is an long-standing career, he has received nu- Austrian historian and political scien- merous awards (including the Academy tist, founder of Braunau Contemporary Awards and the BAFTA Awards for the History Days, member of the founding films “Schindler’s List” and “Gladiator”, committee of the Austrian-Israeli soci- and one Emmy Award), as well as ac- ety “Tirol”, former professor at the Uni- knowledgements (honorary doctorate versity of Innsbruck, the University of of the , honorary New Orleans, the Humboldt University citizenship of the City of , Honor- of , and the Hebrew University of ary Heart of Sarajevo). He also produced Jerusalem, who was, together with a number of well known films, like “Amer- Branko Lustig, awarded with a Lifetime ican Gangster”, “Black Hawk Down”, Achievement Award at the Annual Din- “Hannibal”, “The Peacemaker”, “Sophie’s ner of the Los Angeles Museum of the Choice”. Lately he is notably engaged in Holocaust. In 2005, Maislinger received education of youth throughout Croatia, the Decoration of Honour in Silver for primarily within the Educational Morn- Services to the Republic of . He ings, being a lecturer at this program for was a lecturer at the Educational Morn- the last seven years. ing in Zagreb in 2010.

Branko Lustig Frank Stern Mirko Ilić

German professor of film, modern Ger- Graphic designer, illustrator and lectur- man history and culture, Director of Center er. In 1995, he established Mirko Ilić Corp. for German and Austrian studies at the in New York, a multidisciplinary studio University of Beer-Sheva, lecturer at the specializing in graphic design, 3D ani- Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies mation, and illustration. Before arriving of the University in Vienna, former visit- in the U.S., Mirko Ilić art directed nu- ing lecturer at the Universities of Colum- merous posters, record covers and books bia, Georgetown and Berlin and outstand- in Europe. In 1991, he was art director of ing authority in the field of Judaism. He is the international edition of Time Mag- the author of numerous recognized books, azine. He became the art director of the while in 2008 he initiated the Vienna Jew- New York Times Op-Ed pages in 1992. ish Film Club. He was a lecturer at the Ed- He has taught advanced design classes ucational Morning in Zagreb in 2011. at the Cooper Union and currently teach- es master degree classes in illustration at Johann Chapoutot the School of Visual Arts. Lately he ex- cels with his lecture “Symbols of Hatred”, Award-winning French specialist of the which he held at the Educational Morn- history of National Socialism and lec- ings in Zagreb in 2013, 2014 and 2015, in turer at the University of Pierre Mendès- Tuzla in 2013, in Belgrade in 2014, and France in Grenoble. He has MA in Ger- in Ljubljana in 2015. man, Degree in Sciences-Po and PhD in History, has written four books and nu- Terence Pike merous academic articles, and is a mem- ber of the Institut Universitaire de France. UNHCR Representative in Croatia since He was a lecturer at Institute of Political 2011. He was born in Zimbabwe. After Sciences in Paris and Harvard Universi- six years of juridical career, he joined this ty. For his book “The Death of ”, organization in 1992. As an UNHCR of- he received an award for his work by the ficer, he worked in some of the most Académie française. He is now a lectur- threatened refugee regions in the world, er of law and morality of the Third Re- like Ethiopia, Indonesia, Zambia, Paki- ich, trying to understand how violence stan, Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi. He and murder can become a legal and mor- participated as a lecturer at the Educa- al imperative. He was a lecturer at the tional Mornings in Zagreb in 2012, 2013 Educational Morning in Zagreb in 2012. and 2014.

Mirko Ilić Aleksandar Ajzinberg Oleg Mandić

Architect from Belgrade who was forced Lawyer and journalist from Opatija who to hide in the Homolje mountains for was, as an 11-year-old boy, the last living the most of WW2 because of his Jewish inmate to leave the notorious Auschwitz. roots. He is the author of the book titled For years, he has been sharing his mem- “Letters to Matvej”, in which he tells his ories of the horrors of his seven-month life story in epistolary form, and for which imprisonment in this concentration camp he was awarded with the annual prize of with elementary and secondary school Federation of Jewish communities in Ser- pupils. He is the organizer of the Days bia in 2006. His five-hour long testimo- of anti-fascism that are being held for six ny is stored in USC Shoah Foundation’s consecutive years in Opatija. A docu- archives. He was a lecturer at the Edu- mentary film about his life has been made. cational Morning in Belgrade in 2014. He was a lecturer at the Educational Morning in Zagreb in 2015.

Oleg Mandić Cities in which the September 8, 2011 550 Čakovec September 20, 2012 550 Educational Mornings (4 programs) November 14, 2013 550 February 26, 2015 550

September 16, 2010 350 were held thus far: Osijek September 15, 2011 300 (3 programs) number of young November 14, 2013 280 city date people that attended the program September 26, 2012 260 Zadar October 9, 2013 250 May 25, 2009 350 (3 programs) May 28, 2009 350 September 26, 2014 245 May 25, 2010 240 September 27, 2012 7 Knin May 26, 2010 310 October 10, 2013 440 (3 programs) May 27, 2010 260 September 25, 2014 315

Zagreb May 23, 2011 200 Rijeka June 7, 2013 300 (15 programs) May 26, 2011 500 (2 programs) September 24, 2014 300 May 21, 2012 250 Sarajevo October 24, 2013 270 May 24, 2012 500 (2 programs) November 7, 2014 164 May 20, 2013 350 Belgrade November 13, 2014 500 May 23, 2013 650 (2 programs) November 14, 2014 250 May 19, 2014 400 Ljubljana February 5, 2015 93 May 21, 2014 570 (2 programs) February 8, 2015 80 April 14, 2015 652 Tuzla both on October 1, 2013 500 April 18, 2015 470 (2 programs) Velika Gorica June 8, 2010 275

Varaždin September 30, 2010 250

Vukovar September 16, 2011 300

Mečenčani September 29, 2011 80

Šibenik October 7, 2013 300

Novi Marof November 13, 2013 250

Vienna October 6, 2014 300

Zaprešić October 15, 2014 80

Cetinje November 3, 2014 150

Sisak January 19, 2015 400

Educational Mornings held at the faculties and in individual schools - Faculty of Political Science of Zagreb University (5 times), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, “Baltazar Zaprešić” University of Applied Sciences, Police Academy, “Kantakuzina Katarina Branković” Serbian Orthodox Secondary School (2 times), Private Art Gymnasium, V Gymnasium, “Gračani” Elementary School… (880 in total). Films screened at the previous editions of Educational Mornings

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas We must remember

Educational Mornings in 2009 and 2010 in Zagreb, Educational Morning in 2009 in Zagreb and in 2014 in Cetinje and Sarajevo; Educational Mornings tour in 2010 and 2014/2015 Director: Douglas Green USA, 2009, 32 minutes Director: Mark Herman Starring: Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend Synopsis: “We must remember” is a documentary about sixteen American high UK / USA, 2008, 94 minutes school pupils who discover the Holocaust while spending a year producing a film on this subject. Shot in , , Austria, Washington, D.C., and Central Synopsis: Young Bruno lives a wealthy lifestyle in prewar Germany along with his and Southern California, this unique film captures the experiences of sixteen teens mother, elder sister, and SS Commandant father. The family relocates to the coun- as they interview Holocaust survivors and American veterans, visit two German tryside where his father is assigned to take command of a prison camp. A few days high schools where they interview German teens on their perspectives on this part later, Bruno befriends another youth, strangely dressed in striped pajamas, named of their country’s history, and film inside three concentration camp memorial sites. Shmuel, who lives behind an electrified fence. Bruno will soon find out that he is The film offers a groundbreaking approach for educators who are introducing the not permitted to befriend his new friend as he is a Jew, and that the neighboring Holocaust to their students. yard is actually a prison camp for Jews awaiting extermination.

Awards: 2008 - British Independent Film Award - Best Actress 2008 - Chicago International Film Festival - Audience Choice Award 2010 - CinEuphoria Awards – Audience Award for Best Film, Best Supporting Actress and Top Ten of the Year The Stars Will Never Die Inside Hana’s Suitcase

Educational Morning in 2010 in Zagreb Educational Morning in 2011 in Zagreb; Educational Mornings tour in 2011; Director: Helene Maimann distribution in 2014 Austria, 2006, 50 minutes Director: Larry Weinstein Synopsis: Thousands of young people took part in the biggest contemporary history Canada / Czech Republic, 2009, 88 minutes project of Austria’s Second Republic – “A Letter To the Stars”, and concerned themselves with the victims and survivors of the Nazi regime of terror. Four of them accompanied Synopsis: “Inside Hana’s Suitcase” is the poignant story of two young children who four survivors, victims and rescuers during the filming of the documentary “The Stars grew up in pre-WWII Czechoslovakia and the terrible events that they endured just Will Never Die”. Helene Maimann’s film tells the story of bravery and the courage of because they happened to be born Jewish. Based on the internationally acclaimed convictions, rescued lives, love stories and danger overcome. book “Hana’s Suitcase” which has been translated into 40 languages, the film is an effective blend of documentary and dramatic techniques. In addition to tracing the lives of George and Hana Brady in the 1930’s and 40’s, “Inside Hana’s Suitcase” tells the present-day story of “The Small Wings”, a group of Japanese children, and how their passionate and tenacious teacher, Fumiko Ishioka, helped them solve the mys- tery of Hana Brady, whose name was painted on an old battered suitcase that they received from Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp built in Poland.

Awards: 2010 - Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award 2010 - Rockland County Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award A Feminine Presence Tell Your Children

Educational Morning in 2011 in Zagreb Educational Morning in 2011 in Zagreb

Director: Eric Rochant Director: Andras Salamon Starring: Isabel Otero, Marc Berman Starring: Lilla Tanai, Ilona Bakos, Fruzsina Eszes France, 1987, 16 minutes Hungary, 2004, 5 minutes

Synopsis: A young woman stays for a few days at the apartment of a writer whom Synopsis: This feature film tells the story of the January 1945 mass murder conduct- she does not know. She moves in with two suitcases that seem to be alive. One con- ed by the Nazis at the bank of the Danube in Budapest. Only a four year old girl sur- tains a miniature synagogue and other the living hands. These two suitcases are met- vives, and growing up we see her walking the banks of the Danube through the dec- aphors for memory, for the afterlife of Jewish culture and religion that the Nazis tried ades until the present day. As an old woman she now has to confront right wing to destroy. hooligans. Her face, her gaze is inscribed with memory, with history.

Award: 1988 – Cesar for Best Short Film As a part of Mr. Johann Chapoutot’s lecture, extracts from the following Nazi propaganda films were shown:

All Life is Struggle

Directors: Herbert Gerdes, W. Huttig Germany, 1937, 27 minutes

I Accuse Director: Wolfgang Liebeneiner Germany, 1941, 125 minutes

The Eternal Jew

The Last Flight of Petr Ginz Director: Fritz Hippler Germany, 1940, 62 minutes Educational Morning in 2012 in Zagreb; Educational Mornings tour in 2012; Kolberg distribution in 2014 Directors: Veit Harlan, Wolfgang Liebeneiner Directors: Sandra Dickson, Churchill Roberts Germany, 1945, 111 minutes USA, 2012, 66 minutes

Synopsis: By 14 he had written five novels and penned a diary about the Nazi occu- Sein Kampf pation of Prague. By 16 he had produced over 150 drawings and paintings, edited an Educational Morning in 2013 in Zagreb underground magazine in the Theresienstadt Ghetto, written numerous short sto- ries and had walked to the gas chamber at Auschwitz. Much of Petr’s story was un- Director: Jakob Zapf known until the 2003 Columbia space shuttle tragedy. Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, Starring: Gunter Lamprecht, Tessa Mittelstaedt, Julian-Nico Tzschentke carried with him into space Petr’s drawing, Moon Landscape. The publicity sur- Germany, 2013, 16 minutes rounding the flight and its explosion led to the discovery of Petr’s diary and addi- tional artwork and short stories in a Prague attic. Through Petr’s artwork, novels, Synopsis: “Sein Kampf” is a story about pride, repression, and redemption, about short stories and magazine articles, the viewer will see Petr make the journey from two neo-Nazi brothers. Younger is under the influence of his two years older sib- precocious child to young adult, from innocence to the painful awareness of inhu- ling. Boris (16) wants to be a real skinhead! At least that’s what he thinks. Today an manity, from gifted artist and writer to prodigy. old Jew who survived Auschwitz is coming to talk to them at the school. But Mar- cel (18) has a plan... Boris agrees to provoke David (83). But he didn’t reckon with Award: 2012 - Jerusalem Film Festival - Artistic Achievement Award the presence of that old man and the power of his story. Wunderkinder

Educational Mornings in 2013 in Zagreb, Rijeka and Sarajevo; Educational Mornings tour in 2013

Director: Markus Rosenmuller Starring: Gedeon Burkhard, Natalia Avelon, Rolf Kanies Germany, 2011, 96 minutes

Synopsis: “Wunderkinder” tells a story of musically unusually talented children de- veloping a deep and genuine friendship extending beyond their different religions and nationalities. But when WWII comes to the Soviet Union, they and their fam- ilies face a deadly threat. The protagonists, the Jewish children Larissa and Abra- scha, are violin virtuosos. Hanna, a young German girl, is also extremely talented. Living in Poltava, then the Ukraine, in 1941, they all share one great love: music. Their world is one of curiosity, joy and talent. But due to the insanity of grown-ups at home and abroad, their world is turned upside down and they are suddenly told they are no longer allowed to be friends!

Awards: 2011 - Buster International Children’s Film Festival - Best Buster Award 2011 - Giffoni Film Festival - CGS Award for Best Film and ECFA Award for Best European Film 2011 - Jerusalem Film Festival - The Avner Shalev Chairman’s Award 2012 - Palm Springs Int. Film Festival - 2nd place for Best Narrative Feature 2012 - Romy Gala - Romy for Best Producer 2012 - San Diego Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Feature Film 2012 - Stony Brook Film Festival - Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Run Boy Run Belle and Sebastian

Educational Mornings in 2014 in Zagreb, Vienna and Belgrade and in 2015 in Ljubljana Educational Morning in 2015 in Zagreb

Director: Pepe Danquart Director: Nicolas Vanier Starring: Andrzej Tkacz, Kamil Tkacz, Elisabeth Duda Starring: Félix Bossuet, Tchéky Karyo, Margaux Châtelier Germany / France, 2013, 102 minutes France, 2013, 95 minutes

Synopsis: “Run Boy Run” is the true story of Jurek (8), who escapes from the War- Synopsis: “Belle and Sebastian” is set high in the snowy Alps during the Second World saw ghetto, then manages to survive in the woods, disguising himself as a Polish or- War. Resourceful Sebastian is a lonely boy who tames and befriends a giant, wild phan. He encounters people who will betray him for a reward or try to kill him, and mountain dog, Belle – even though the villagers believe her to be “the beast” that has he meets those who will do and risk almost everything to help him. Jurek’s resilience been killing their sheep. At the same time, the Germans have arrived in the peace- is put to the ultimate test when an accident cripples him. But he struggles on against ful village looking for resistance members who are helping Jewish refugees escape all the odds. Eventually the Russians reach his area and he even finds a family where to . Through danger and adventure, Belle and Sebastian forge an inde- he could stay. Yet he is betrayed again, and a young man from a Jewish orphanage structible friendship. Set against breath-taking scenery and a dramatic time in his- forcefully tries to bring Jurek back to his people and his faith. As Jurek revisits his tory, this moving story will be enjoyed by the whole family. hometown and his abandoned home, we find out that the inner voice that has kept him hanging on over the years is in fact the voice of his father. Awards: 2014 - Seattle International Film Festival – Films4Families Youth Jury Award 2014 - Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival – Just Film Award - Special Awards: 2014 - Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival – Audience Award for Best Drama Mention from Children’s Jury 2014 - Rochester Jewish Film Festival – Audience Award 2015 - Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival - Audience 2014 - Jewish Film Festival of Dallas – Audience Choice Award Choice Award for Best Feature Narrative 2015 - Seattle Jewish Film Festival – Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature 2015 - Boulder Jewish Film Festival – Audience Award 2015 - Hartford Jewish Film Festival - Audiences Award for Best Feature 2015 - Dayton Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Feature 2015 - Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival – Audience Award 2015 - Denver Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Narrative 2015 - JCC Rockland Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Narrative Educational Mornings in Zagreb

Educational Mornings were organized Since 2009, Educational Mornings were for the first time in 2009 as a part of the regularly organized twice (in 2010 even 3rd Jewish Film Festival, today known thrice) within every Festival edition in as the Festival of Tolerance, which was Zagreb. To date, they were held 15 times, dedicated to “Children - Victims of the with an equal number of programs Holocaust and Victims of Wars“. This intended for pupils aged 13 to 15 which topic presented an excellent opportunity are led by Branko Lustig and programs to speak out to young population about intended for older pupils and students the Holocaust in a new way. which are led by eminent international After previous examinations and talks lecturers. These Educational Mornings with experts, the Association identified were attended by more than 6,000 young a lack of formal and institutional people, who came not only from schools education about the Holocaust, which is in Zagreb but regularly from schools from insufficiently and inadequately other parts of Croatia as well (Vukovar, represented in the school curriculum. Banovina, Međimurje, Velika Gorica…). Therefore, Educational Mornings were devoted to teaching young people about this dark period of world history in order to develop them into tolerant and democratic individuals. The program owes its success to several others just because they are not of the important factors: film, as the medium same religion. We, young generations, the pupils can relate to, which enables need to be educated about the Holocaust them to understand the school lessons so that crimes against humanity would not (and history) in a deeper and more be repeated“, said Marko Popović, pupil emotional manner than just by learning from the Matija Gubec Elementary School. from the books; the significance of the Over the years, a wide base of schools lecturer Branko Lustig as one of the few that participate in every new edition of living witnesses of the Holocaust; and Educational Mornings has been built, the inclusion of pupils into discussions, while recently the hall of cinema Europa, evaluations of films and giving comments venue where the program is traditionally on short evaluation questionnaires which being held, is too small with its 500 seats are distributed before every program. to accommodate all the pupils who want Already after the first Educational to take part in it. Morning, pupils themselves pointed out Before every new Educational Mornings how valuable this type of education is. cycle, which starts precisely with the “Earlier I had known some things about education in Zagreb, the Association the Holocaust, but this program helped sends the concept of Educational me to learn much more about this Mornings along with the film that is subject. I was truly shocked after seeing screened as a part of it to the Ministry and hearing what one man can do to of Science, Education and Sports of the another just because of a different Republic of Croatia, obtaining its religion or nationality. I sincerely hope recommendation for the implementation that people will never torture or kill of the program. Educational Mornings throughout Croatia After the 4th Festival, due to excellent Excluding Zagreb, Educational Morn- turnout and response from pupils, as well ings have been held in 13 different cities as great dialogue established with them throughout the Republic of Croatia. after the screenings and lectures, Educa- Thanks to an exceptional cooperation with tional Mornings project has further de- local and regional self-government units veloped in the sense that we started to and/or great interest from schools, in some bring this program to other Croatian cit- cities the program is held year after year. For ies, outside the Festival term (“Education- example, the Educational Mornings have al Mornings tour”). The focus is put on already been implemented four times in the cities from regions where the promo- Čakovec, and three times in Osijek, Branko tion of tolerance is needed (e.g. regions Lustig’s city of birth, Zadar and Knin. formerly affected by war, regions with nu- Precisely the city of Knin marked one merous minorities...). The main goals re- of the turning points in the development main communication with the pupils, of the Educational Mornings project. In promotion of tolerance and pointing out 2012, due to the sensationalism from the the errors from the past with the inten- newspapers and presenting things out of tion that they are never to be repeated context regarding the events at the pro- so we all could build a better and more gram that took place the previous day in harmonious world. Zadar, the Educational Morning in Knin All Educational Mornings organized in was boycotted, which resulted with the Croatian cities outside Zagreb are led by arrival of only seven pupils and teachers Branko Lustig, as they are primarily in- to the education. Immediately after, the tended for pupils aged 13 to 15. Association started receiving the support These programs are almost always or- for the Educational Mornings from nu- ganized in cooperation with local and re- merous organizations and individuals, gional self-government units, which pro- while the cooperation with the City of vide the venues for their realization, send Knin was resumed in 2013, when 440 pu- the invitations to schools, promote the pils attended the program. project and organize press conferences as During these lectures, Branko Lustig well as cover a part of the expenses of puts a special emphasis on the importance holding the educations. of harmonious coexistence and respect for the members of local minorities. Educational Mornings abroad

With the intention of reaching as many Educational Mornings in foreign coun- people as possible with its messages, one tries have also attracted great interest of of the main goals of the Association dur- schools and citizens, which resulted with ing several last years has been the region- the filled out capacities of all the venues, al expansion of the Festival of Tolerance, while on several occasions the number which indeed followed after securing ad- of pupils significantly surpassed the equate funds and finding partners. number of available seats (like in Sara- Hence, the regional editions of the Fes- jevo in 2013 or in Belgrade in 2014). The tival were organized in 2013 in Bosnia lectures were thematically related to and Herzegovina, in 2014 in Serbia, Mon- countries in which they took place, as tenegro and once again in Bosnia and well as their historical and social con- Herzegovina, along with the presenta- text. Also, for the first time, some of the tion of Festival programs in Austria, and lectures were not delivered in Croatian in 2015 in Slovenia. language – e.g. Branko Lustig held the These regional editions are smaller in lecture in Vienna in German language, scope compared to the edition in Zagreb, while Mirko Ilić’s lecture in Ljubljana but Educational Mornings have never- was held in English. theless remained their integral part. Educational Mornings at the faculties and in individual schools

Having realized the significance and suc- Other educational institutions from the cess of his former lectures, renowned fac- city of Zagreb and Republic of Croatia ulties of the University of Zagreb started also express enormous and ever grow- inviting Branko Lustig to address their ing interest for Educational Mornings students as well. Hence, he was a frequent and invite the Association to hold this guest at the Faculty of Political Science, program at their premises. Just during where he already held five lectures, while the first half of 2015, Educational Morn- programs were also organized at the Po- ings have been held in one secondary lice Academy, Faculty of Humanities and and two elementary schools. Social Sciences and “Baltazar Zaprešić” University of Applied Sciences. Distribution of educational films to schools

Educational Mornings are constantly The first cycle of distribution includ- evolving, not only by geographically ex- ed two films that had been screened in panding to new locations, but also by in- previous years at Educational Mornings, troducing new activities and content. “Inside Hana’s Suitcase” and “The Last With the increase of interest for Edu- Flight of Petr Ginz”, which were sent to cational Mornings throughout the Re- as many as 500 elementary schools in public of Croatia and practical lack of the Republic of Croatia. The distribu- possibility for the Association to accept tion began in 2014, more precisely in Jan- all the invitations for bringing the pro- uary, so a certain number of schools gram to varius cities and schools, and would be able to screen the films on In- with the intention to include to the pro- ternational Holocaust Remembrance Day ject pupils who would otherwise be de- (marked on January 27), while the dis- prived of this type of content, especial- tribution finished in June of the same ly from the less accessible regions and year. During this entire period, a great areas of special state concern, the distri- help has been provided by the volunteers bution of educational films about the of the Association. Holocaust to schools has been initiated. Hereby these schools have received the We introduced this activity after frequent stated films in permanent ownership, suggestions of teachers and pupils who and the number of pupils who will, dur- attended the Educational Mornings, as ing the years to come, have the oppor- they believed that the films screened at tunity to learn through them about the these programs would be exceptionally Holocaust and tolerance is, so to speak, useful for their classes, history clubs or immeasurable. extracurricular programs. The idea was discussed and developed with Croatian Education and Teacher Training Agency. Essay competition Tolerance – So Important! on tolerance This year once again I took part in the When he talked about the kinds of Festival of Tolerance. Just like in the sev- things done to them, the inhumane con- eral previous years, this year I watched ditions they were given and how long it and/or Holocaust the film screened at Educational Morn- took, I felt like I had a dumpling in my ings and listened to Branko Lustig’s lec- throat. I refuse to visually imagine all the ture and, for the first time, Mr. Mandić’s. sights and scenes he was describing. Like In 2015, as a pilot project, the Associa- Lana Kuretić’s essay, titled “Tolerance And each time after an extraordinary someone who didn’t live through that tion organized an essay competition on – So Important!” was considered the best lecture I am left speechless, full of ques- personally, it is hard for me to compre- the topic of tolerance and/or Holocaust. entry. Lana comes from Elementary tions that cannot be answered, filled with hend it actually happened. It sounds like Schools involved in the Educational School Luka and her mentor was teacher unreasonable actions from the past, full some screenplay for a film, it sounds un- Morning held in Zagreb on April 14, 2015, Ana Jurković. As the contest winner, she of incredulity. feasible in reality. And yet, it happened. were invited to participate, with the in- received various Festival of Tolerance The following afternoon I lay in bed I don’t know what’s more horrible, the tention of establishing this program not paraphernalia while her school was given and thought about something new I fact that it really happened and how many only as a one-time experience for pupils, a portable computer worth 270,00 EUR. heard that day, and tried to understand people have died, or the fact that people but rather as an opportunity for their ad- Due to high quality of received entries, why some of the things Mr. Lustig talked do not know about it today. They are not ditional reflection and creative expres- the jury decided to introduce awards for about happened. Perhaps I am too young interested. It’s so sad. Mr. Lustig said it sion. Essay writing also stimulates fur- second and third place. Essay “On to understand all that, or maybe all of himself, the youth should be informed. ther education on these topics. tolerance”, composed by a pupil from that is just too complicated, but I still Let them know what happened and from It was not necessary for essays to touch “Gračani“ Elementary School, won cannot see anything good that came out what we are spared today. I wish to re- on the very Educational Morning lec- second place while the third place was of hatred and rejection of diversity. This count all that I heard firsthand to my ture pupils took part in. Rather, they were won by a pupil from the same school, school year during History and Home- friends but they do not understand. To free to write about what tolerance and/ with an essay titled “Friendly Ball”. The room classes we learned about the camps, them, it amounts to only what they had or holocaust represent for them in gen- authors were also given Festival the Second World War and various forms heard from others and they do not wish eral. From that perspective, it was espe- paraphernalia as a prize. of intolerance, yet it is completely differ- to know more. cially interesting to observe various ap- The project proved successful; there- ent to hear someone’s personal story, That night in bed I thought about tol- proaches to these topics and different fore, in the 2015/2016 school year, the something that a person keeps inside erance. A nine-letter word, but a word styles of writing. contest will be significantly expanded to himself, from that written in the books. with lots of history. We do not under- The competition was open from May 13 include pupils attending the Education- Listening to Mr. Lustig’s words about his stand a difficult situation until we find until June 7, 2015. A single school was able al Mornings in five different cities. time in the concentration camp simply ourselves in one. This year I am sup- to send up to three essays. The length of The winning essay is presented below. gave me goose bumps. But it wasn’t just posed to enroll in high school. And, nat- text was limited to one to three pages. me; it was the entire filled-out auditorium. urally, I want to be accepted. We become accepted when we accept night stories were left untold? How many I was taught to accept from early age, ing to entice us to hate them. On the con- others, which means we ought to be tol- “we’ll make it” promises fell through? but it wasn’t til now that I understood trary, he shows us that we should under- erant. But, will others be tolerant as well? How many children said “I am going to how important that is, how important it stand them. We ought to understand Will they accept all of my flaws? Will be a teacher” and the day after their is to accept everybody. But we also must what was happening in their heads, find they mind something about me and will dreams were ruined? And all that be- remember what we had done in the past their mistakes and apply them to our- they be able to ignore it? At times we are cause they were different and people wer- and where we went wrong. And when selves. To show that we are aware of what not accepted because people do not like en’t tolerant. People did not accept. They the last camp survivor dies, when last happened and that we won’t repeat it. So difference. If all of us were the same, we didn’t love. witnesses die, we must continue to wit- that in the future such things wouldn’t would not be interesting. And today, And I thought... Is it better today? Will ness. Maybe not firsthand, but from our occur. We, as youngsters, cannot create when differences are increasingly nu- that be repeated? Are we better at accept- hearts. What we heard, what we saw on some great changes in the world but with merous, people do not accept them. We ing? Will there be more people such as video. Visit Auschwitz, some other camp small things we can try together. Start- are different in styles, in orientations, re- Mr. Lustig who will say: yes, I had to go or memorial center, and see what re- ing from acceptance. Let’s tell ourselves: ligions, thinking and many other things. through that because people do not ac- mained. Or better put, what disappeared. “Hey, I will enter some new space now It is what makes us unique, and people cept what’s different. And how long will Those who want, who can stand and see, and I will accept the people there, even reject that. Why? Why did people reject there be talks about the Holocaust? About let them go and see. I believe the world though they’re different. From the next different faith or nationality? Why did the hatred that led nowhere? Such things can be changed. Individual per individ- school year. From next month. From to- they have an inhuman need to wipe mustn’t be forgotten. Every tear, every ual. Perhaps slowly, but it can be done. morrow. But let’s start. Let’s show what everything that’s different from the face life, every wasted atom of a soul must be After the Festival and the stories I’ve we’ve learned and what we carry in our of the Earth? How many times have we remembered. Every atom of a ruined heard, I comprehended I would never souls now. How different we are from heard of many camps in which murder childhood ought to be remembered. observe the Second World War like I the ones who were destroying. That shall occurred because someone was of a dif- Every given wound, internal or external, used to. It’s not that the only conflict oc- be no more. Let’s promise each other.” ferent nationality. Even today, daily, we must be shown. It must be explained. curred is the one that is visible. Anoth- After long thinking in bed, I turned to hear about murders happening because People must know and understand. They er great conflict that we don’t notice is my sisters, smiled, thanked God that my of a different faith? Too much. When I must say, “hey, we’re not the same but the one in human heads. Voices of rea- family and friends accept me the way I just think, how many innocent mothers anyway, let’s love one another. Let’s be son, and a voice of hatred, a voice of com- am, and decided to be an even better lost an equally innocent child because tolerant. And whatever kind of person mand. Such hatred produced by that person tomorrow. the child decided to worship Allah or Je- we meet, let’s give them a chance. What- mess, it is what is visible to the eye. And Lana Kuretić hovah instead of the Holy Trinity, or vice ever kind of baby we give birth to, let’s what we feel, and the sadness we see on versa? How many girls lost their sole love it. Let’s expand out horizons and the faces of witnesses, that’s what is vis- mate because he was Polish and she Ger- let’s be aware. Things like this mustn’t be ible to the heart. Still, I admire Mr. Lust- man? What people don’t think about is repeated. Holocaust mustn’t be repeat- ig who talks about these people today, what happened between people there in ed! That inhumane torture and murder without any anger. He does not attach camps, before? How many tears were also mustn’t be repeated! ” some foul attributes to them, he does not shed for a loved one? How many good magnify their viciousness and isn’t try- Media coverage of Educational Mornings with short summaries in English Future police officers at Mirko Ilić’s lecture “Symbols of Hatred” April 20, 2015 Branko Lustig on the Educational Morning: We must not forget the Holokaust

On Saturday, April 18, around 50 students of secondary Police School “Josip Jović” Elementary school pupils had the opportunity to learn through the lecture of Branko attended the lecture “Symbols of Hatred” which was, as a part of the Educational Lustig, Holocaust survivor who was taken in 1943 from Čakovec to the notorious camp Mornings program organized within the 9th Festival of Tolerance, held by a famous Auschwitz. “Gatherings of young people and their interest for the subject of the Holocaust graphic designer and illustrator Mirko Ilić. are precisely the goals of the Festival. Some events must never be forgotten”, said Lustig. At the beginning of his lecture, Mirko Ilić especially welcomed the attendees of Police “With this Educational Morning, we are teaching our youth about a tragedy in an School “Josip Jović”, stating that they will be the ones who will face the first strike of understandable way”, explained the President of the Jewish Community Čakovec Andrej supporter groups and that the police officers are always on the first line when it is Pal, while the Međimurje County Prefect Matija Posavec stressed that this education needed to stop extreme supporters’ violence and confront them, after which he marks a continuation of long-standing cooperation between the County and the Festival, received a big applause from the audience. which has grown into a true partnership. Josipović condemned the boycott of the Academy Award winner “The society is unwilling the accept Lustig’s worldview and beliefs”

Exactly one week ago renowned winner Branko Lustig held a lecture to Zadar elementary school pupils after the screening of the film “The Last Flight of Petr Ginz”, opening up to them explaining why he does not believe in God. His stance caused revulsion among some of the teachers from Knin who then boycotted the lecture of famous Hollywood producer. This undemocratic act was strongly condemned by the President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipović. “For me personally, God doesn’t exist. If he existed, he wouldn’t have allowed the Holocaust, horrific tortures and killings in Nazi camps, like in Auschwitz where I was brought as a 11-year-old boy. He wouldn’t have allowed the massacre in Srebrenica“, Mr. Lustig told the pupils in Zadar, causing the boycott in Knin. “Embrace someone of a different religion and skin colour as your friend and don’t This intolerant stance towards Mr. Lustig was condemned by the President Ivo Josipović: make differences” “Organized boycott of a film about the Holocaust due to Mr. Lustig’s worldview is an undemocratic and harmful act. On one hand, it speaks about the democratic deficit of our The second Educational Morning of this year’s Festival was organized at the Europa society, which is unwilling to accept a legitimate point of view of an individual and his cinema as Branko Lustig held a touching lecture in front of more than 650 pupils. religious beliefs. Such an act, particularly because it involves the manipulation with children, Youth from various Croatian regions attended the program. This significant educational is not appropriate for a democratic society… Mr. Lustig himself, as a boy, survived the hell program, which is being held for the fifth year in a row, started with the screening of Auschwitz. Experiences and thoughts about that crime which he wanted to share with of the film Wunderkinder, after which Mr. Lustig’s lecture followed. UNHCR the youth are valuable as an important statement about the history which can help youth Representative, Mr. Terence Pike, was a guest of the program. Pupils from the audience to understand that history and condemn the evil that threatened the whole humanity.” showed great interest for the lecture and asked numerous questions about the things The boycott has already been condemned the by the Minister of Science, Education and they were curious about. Sports Željko Jovanović. Blog: jelenabrckovic / O PRIRODI I DRUŠTVU

24.06.2012

O Festivalu židovskog filma

U moru festivala koji pronalaze dom u kinu Europi, ističe se jedan šestogodišnjak. Radi se o Festivalu židovskog filma koji ima popriličnu posjećenost, što zbog dobrih filmova, što zbog oskarovca Branka Lustiga koji je počasni direktor festivala. U tih tjedan dana trajanja, organizatori priređuju izložbe, glazbene večeri i edukacijska jutra.

Upravo ta edukacijska jutra čine Festival iznimnim i drugačijim. Edukacijska jutra su obrazovni projekt koji nastoji približiti djeci i mladima, na njima razumljiv način, tragediju počinjenu u Drugom svjetskom ratu. Najvažnije je što edukacije nisu usmjerene samo na tragediju koja se desila Židovima, već predavači govore i o stradanjima drugih naroda koji su bili „nepodobni“ nacistima, a koja su se desila zbog raznih političkih, povijesnih, religijskih i socijalnih faktora… Kroz predavanja, nastoji se djecu naučiti što je tolerancija i kako se suprotstaviti netolerantnim osobama, kako reagirati na omalovažavanja i kako poštivati jedni druge.

Ovogodišnje predavanje osnovnoškolcima održao je, sada već tradicionalno, Branko Lustig. Nakon njegova svjedočanstva, djeca su kroz pitanja i razgovor naučila kako šutnja nije dobra ako se uočava nepravda, kako postoje različiti ljudi i različiti načini življenja, ali da ne postoje „bolji“ ljudi i „ispravniji“ način življenja. Naučili su kako je jedini ispravan način življenja međusobno poštivanje i prihvaćanje različitosti.

SVJEDOČANSTVO BRANKA LUSTIGA

Festival židovskog filma osmislio je sjajan način edukacije djece jer se tolerancija uči od malih nogu, a ona je neophodna za miran suživot ljudi koji ni danas nije moguć u mnogim zemljama diljem svijeta. Edukacijska jutra posjećuju i druge gradove diljem Hrvatske izvan termina Festivala. Obično su destinacije gradovi i područja koja su bila u prošlosti zahvaćena ratom ili regije s velikim brojem manjina. Educational Morning at Cineplexx, Avenue Mall Branko Lustig spoke to pupils about the Holocaust

About the Jewish Film Festival More than 300 pupils had the honor to meet Branko Lustig, a double Academy by Jelena Brcković, May 24, 2012 Award winner born in Osijek. Under the patronage of the City of Osijek, the Educational Morning has been held, and it included the screening of a touching Out of numerous festivals that take place in Europa cinema, one really stands out. film “Inside Hanna’s Suitcase”. It’s the Jewish Film Festival, which is well visited because of its quality films and “The aim of this program is to introduce the tragedy of Holocaust to young its honorary president, Academy Awards winner, Mr. Branko Lustig. But the generations and encourage them to develop tolerance. Through discussion and program that makes this Festival unique and different are Educational Mornings. exchange of views, young people have the chance to understand that the The goal is to teach pupils not only about the Holocaust, but also the value of acceptance of diversity and respect for the different is the only appropriate way to tolerance and respect for all human beings. Jewish Film Festival has designed a live in the modern world”, says Ms. Nataša Popović, the Director of the Jewish great way of educating children because tolerance is learned in early stages of life Film Festival. The Honorary President of the Festival, Mr. Branko Lustig, held a as it is a necessity for harmonious coexistence. lecture about the tolerance and his own life experiences during the WWII. Visiting Zagreb Jewish Film Festival Branko Lustig in Varaždin by Vesna Majdandžić, May 27, 2011 We should forgive, but never forget

Members of our film group visited the Zagreb Jewish Film Festival on May 26, Famous Croatian Producer and Oscar winner Branko Lustig visited yesterday the where the educational program about the Holocaust, the so called “Educational city of Varaždin with his daughter Sara and shared his experience of the Holocaust Morning”, introduced by the famous Croatian producer, Mr. Branko Lustig, took with the elementary school pupils. place. Participation on the Festival was made possible thanks to the support and “Children need to know about the Holocaust, because everyone who knows about help from UNHCR. As a part of Mr. Lustig´s lecture, we saw the film “Inside it, cannot let the Holocaust to happen again. In order to avoid the same mistakes, Hana’s Suitcase”, a touching story about two children who grew up during World children need to know the history. They must be taught in schools, and if they do War II in the former Czechoslovakia and the terrible experiences through which not learn enough in school, as long as I live, I’ll try to tell them how I lived and they went through only because they were born as Jews. what the Holocaust meant“- said Branko Lustig, who also pointed out that in Varaždin he felt like at home. Pupils’ comments on the program Here are some of the pupils’ comments written on the evaluation questionnaires distributed to them before every Educational Morning:

“This was one of the saddest and most “It changed my worldview!”(from the Ed- touching films that I have ever seen. I will ucational Morning in Novi Marof in 2013) remember it forever, just like the words that were spoken by Branko.“ (from the “It was an honour to participate at this Educational Morning in Rijeka in 2014) meeting. We need more of such direct en- counters between the children and lectur- “I liked the film, it even made me cry. ers, so that the children can at first hand It is very instructive and tells a lot of pos- find out, hear, such unfortunately sad tes- itive things. I think we need more of these timonies. Maybe then they will know how programs. I think every child should know to appreciate the others.” (from the Edu- what happened. It is sad that many chil- cational Morning in Novi Marof in 2013) dren do not know what happened so they draw swastika and salute like Hitler did. “Very moving, it motivated me to think I learned numerous things which I had that all the people should be treated in not known earlier. During the film I start- the same way and to appreciate them even ed to cry, as well as when the man from though they are different.” (from the Ed- Educational program for youngsters the camps was telling his sad story. I hope ucational Morning in Čakovec in 2013) that the Nazism will disappear soon off “The program is educative and inter- the face of the earth because it is one of With the recommendation of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, 3rd esting. I liked the lecture very much. The the worst movements in the world. All in Jewish Film Festival is organizing the Educational Morning about the Holocaust film is quite sad, but also very informa- all, I like this program and that is why I for the pupils of elementary and high schools, with the screening of the film “The tive. Thank you for this opportunity to will grade the film and the lecture with Boy in the Striped Pajamas” by Mark Herman. watch it and hear about these events. 10, not only 5. Congratulations to those After the screening, Mr. Lustig will give lecture about his childhood experiences And to meet an 80-year-old man who who organized this.“ (from the Educa- in the concentration camps. The JFF will also host a very esteemed documentary still has the number on his arm. Thank tional Morning in Osijek in 2013) entitled “We must remember”, a 16 high school students project, as another part of you once again.“ (from the Educational the education. Morning in Zadar in 2012) The number of pupils and students who participated in the Educational Mornings

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0 3rd Jewish 4th Jewish 5th Jewish 6th Jewish Festival of Festival of Festival of Film Festival Film Festival Film Festival Film Festival Tolerance – Tolerance – Tolerance – and Tour and Tour and Tour 7th JFF 8th JFF 9th JFF and Tour and Tour (ongoing)

Touching comments from pupils, stu- the organization of educational programs dents and teachers (describing this pro- for children and young people in the fu- gram as very informative, dynamic and ture. We are decisive in our intention to interesting), as well as their praises, are further promote tolerance, multicultur- a confirmation that the Educational alism and pluralism and fight against Mornings project is on the right track prejudice and discrimination. and obliges us to further continue with Until June 2015, the Educational Mornings and the Educational Mornings tour were supported by:

Montenegro City of Sisak Ministry of Culture Impressum

Organizer Design of the Festival logotype Zagreb Jewish Film Festival Association Mirko Ilić Vojnovićeva 15, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Identification number: 04338763558 Graphic design of the booklet Tel/Fax: + 385 1 48 136 58 Bruketa&Žinić OM www.festivaloftolerance.com [email protected] Layout of the booklet and preprint Kristina Slunjski Rajak President of the Festival Branko Lustig Font provided by Monotype GmbH Festival Director Nataša Popović Patron of the Festival of Tolerance Zagreb City of Zagreb Educational program manager Luka Rinčić We would like to thank all of our dear and numer- ous volunteers, partners and individuals who rec- Project coordinators ognized the importance of the Educational Morn- Iva Grahor and Anita Jukić ings project and altruistically devoted their time and abilities in its successful realization.