"Righteous Without Borders" – a New Virtual Exhibition
The "Righteous Without Borders" exhibition presents twenty eight individuals and organisations whose activities were motivated by the preservation of dignity and human rights and who, at different times and in different places around the world, rejected a sense of helplessness and took the initiative. Their stories - told using quotations and photographs - are linked by a perserverance in acting for the benefit of others and for the world. The attitudes of these Righteous cross borders - they have a universal and timeless dimension, not limited to one nationality.
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"In creating this exhibition, we wanted to show that there are Righteous among us", says Karolina Dzięciołowska, the exhibition's creator. "Irrespective of the location or circumstances, they go out of their way to meet people, especially those in need of help. In the face of wars, crimes or terror, they stand in defence of dignity and human rights. We believe that all of us can discover the 'Righteous' within ourselves".
The concept of "Righteous" is linked to the title "Righteous Among the Nations" created by the Yad Vashem Institute and which, since 1963, has honoured people who saved Jews during the Holocaust. The word "Righteous", in a broader sense, is not only related to the saving of Jews, but also related to those who, in various countries and at different moments in recent history, risked their lives or freedom by defending human dignity and human rights.
Those featured in the exhibition come from around the world. Among them are Jan Karski, Nelson Mandela, Władysław Bartoszewski, Marek Edelman, David Nott, Antonia Locatelli and Rosa Parks.
The "Righteous Without Borders" exhibition pays particular attention to those contemporary Righteous who are confronting the lasting effects of the civil war in Syria and with those who concern themselves with the fate of the refugees. Amongst those individuals and organsations presented in the Exhibition are the "White Helmets" organisation, which rescues the victims of bombing in Syria, and medical doctor Pietro Bartolo, who takes in and treats African refugees on the island of Lampedusa.
Apart from promoting attitudes and values, the Exhibition is also aimed at inspiring Internet visitors to take their own actions within the real world.
"In preparing this exhibition, we wanted to extend beyond the virtual world and inspire visitors to become active in helping others", says Klara Jackl, Co-ordinator of the POLIN Museum's project "The Polish Righteous - Recalling Forgotten History". In the section entitled 'Be Active, Help Others', we have included information about organisations, which can be supported, in helping those most in need".
View the "Righteous Without Borders" Exhibition
The author of the Exhibition is Karolina Dzięciołowska. It has been prepared as part of the POLIN Museum's project "The Polish Righteous - Recalling Forgotten History", in co-operation with Artkolektyw. The Exhibition's major partner is the History Meeting House (Dom Spotkań z Historią).
