Terezín Memorial opens online with virtual tours and courses

The Terezín Memorial, which honors victims of Nazi persecution during WWII and has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, has opened online and seen increased interest in virtual tours and courses, spokesperson Stanislav Lada has told CTK.

Due to the restrictions, the Memorial saw just 73,000 visitors last year, compared with the usual number of about 300,000.

"Schools have shown big interest in our educational online programs," Lada said, adding that the programs have been offered for free by the Memorial.

People have also been interested in virtual tours, of which the Memorial offers numerous variants. Lada said the Memorial also plans to launch guided virtual tours, which would be a paid service.

A former garrison town, Terezín (Theresiensatdt) served as an internment ghetto for European Jews during WWII, while the nearby Small Fortress was turned into the Prague Gestapo prison. The Memorial opened there after the war.

Lada said the Memorial would not change any fees for its schedule of online events. These including the opening of new exhibitions, which will be streamed online until the Memorial can reopen to visitors amid a more favorable epidemiological situation.

The date of the annual commemorative event at the Memorial's National Cemetery, usually attended by up to 5,000 people, is uncertain. It has traditionally been held annually on the third Sunday in May. Last year, the epidemic prevented the May event as well as a subsequent date in autumn.

"This year, we don't expect it to take place in May, but a definitive decision will be made in March," Lada said.

Lada added that the Memorial, operated by the Culture Ministry, has not let any of its 134 employees go due to the long-lasting closure caused by the epidemic.

You can visit the Terezín Memorial online through its official website.