in detail
Between 1892 and 1941 the »Hollandsche Schouwburg« (Dutch Theatre) was an important theatre in Amsterdam's Plantage district. During the German occupation the venue was renamed »Joodsche Schouwburg« (Jewish Theatre), and turned into a theatre where only Jewish artists were allowed to perform for an exclusively Jewish audience. In the summer of 1942 the National Socialist regime commandeered the building and turned it into an assembly camp from where 60,000 to 80,000 Jews from Amsterdam and the surrounding area were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau via the transit camp Westerbork. A »crèche« opposite the theatre was used as an assembly camp for children.
The »Hollandsche Schouwburg« has been a memorial since 1962. In 1993 it was reopened after being renovated and refurbished. Bearing the names of 6,700 families and an eternal flame, the memorial commemorates the 104,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in the concentration and extermination camps. A commemorative exhibition aimed specifically at young people illustrates how Jews were isolated and persecuted during the German occupation. The »Hollandsche Schouwburg« memorial has been owned by Jewish History Museum since 1992.
From 1942-43 the Amsterdam theatre was used as an assembly camp for between 60,000 and 80,000 Jews who were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau via Westerbork and Vught. A memorial was unveiled in the atrium of the theatre in 1962. The memorial has existed in its present form since 1993. The names of families, inscribed on the walls of a memorial room, remember all the Jews who were deported from the Netherlands.
1941
Under pressure from the German occupiers the theatre was renamed 'Joodsche Schouwburg', and turned into a theatre where only Jewish artists were allowed to perform for an exclusively Jewish audience.
1942
The National Socialist regime commandeered the building and turned it into an assembly camp for Jews who were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau via the transit camps, Westerbork and Vught.
1962
The 'Hollandsche Schouwburg' was turned into a memorial.
1993
The building was reopened as a memorial after renovation.
Amsterdam, 1942, Front of the »Hollandsche Schouwburg«, NIOD.
Amsterdam, 1993, Inner courtyard of the »Hollandsche Schouwburg« with memorial, JHM/Jeroen Nooter.
Amsterdam, 2003, Children's memorial ceremony, JHM/Han Singels.
Amsterdam, 1942, Inner courtyard of the »Hollandsche Schouwburg« during deportations, L. Nobelen-Rizouw.
