Who doesn’t know her diary, published under the title “An Interrupted Life”? Etty Hillesum (1914-1943) was an exceptional writer who unfortunately never knew that her diary was considered a historical and literary work of importance. It was first published 38 years after her death in Auschwitz (Poland) and has been translated into 18 languages.
On 19 May 2020, the Etty Hillesum House Middelburg Foundation was founded. The birth house at the Molenwater 77, came up for sale in May 2019. A unique opportunity to realise something very beautiful and socially relevant at this tangible location of remembrance. It concerns historical heritage.
The foundation says:
“From four pillars: science, education, art & culture we wish to keep the memory of the Jewish diarist and her fellow victims alive and to portray the ideas of this extraordinary writer from different disciplines and secure them for future generations.
We also want to:
- showcase historical knowledge about the Jewish history of Middelburg and Zeeland,
- inform about a period of dictatorship, persecution and oppression, and
- contribute to raising awareness and to combating contemporary anti-Semitism.
To this end, we develop artistic and cultural activities and educational programmes.
The Etty Hillesum Research Centre (EHOC), now still in the Zeeland Archives, will also move to Molenwater 77. We have started a crowdfunding campaign to finance this relocation.
The renovation started on Thursday 2 December (3 days later than planned). The schedule is that the renovation (the rough work) will be finished by the end of January and then the refurbishment of the house and the installation of the exhibition will start. This will take about three months. We hope to be able to open the doors in early May.
For more information, please visit our website”
The Administrators have committed to a financial contribution.
0 comments