BERLIN — In advance of UEFA EURO 2024, the European football championship to take place June 14-July 14 across Germany, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) together with the German NGO WhatMatters today announced pioneering initiatives aimed at leveraging the power of sports to combat antisemitism and honor the memory of the Holocaust.
These efforts, part of WJC’s Together Through Sport programming, leverage the universal language of sports to educate, remember and inspire.
The initiative “Football and Memory” launches today, connecting UEFA EURO 2024 attendees with the history of the Holocaust through visits to local memorials and former concentration camps. Developed in partnership with the German Football Association’s (DFB) Cultural Foundation, “Football and Memory” reflects on history by using sport as a bridge to the past. Special programming at each site will highlight the interconnectedness of sports, history and memory. A website, available before and during the tournament, will also link visitors to host cities where memorials and museums are located.
Commenting on the importance of the project and associated events, DFB President Bernd Neuedorf said, “during the UEFA EURO 2024 we will commemorate the time of National Socialism and the many victims of German crimes.” He added, “I would particularly like to thank the many memorial and remembrance locations involved for their commitment. Together, we can help to ensure that the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament will have a special impact on society.”
Starting May 23 and continuing through July, the World Jewish Congress will host a dynamic public exhibit, “Sports. Crowds. Power.” at the Sports Museum on the grounds of the 1936 Summer Olympics, when the Nazis were in power. The site is adjacent to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium which will host the finals of this summer’s tournament.
"Sports. Crowds. Power." explores the nefarious role of sports under National Socialism and delves into how the Nazis manipulated sports to consolidate power, the tragic impact of the Holocaust on European Jewish athletes and sporting clubs, and the contemporary role of sports in combating antisemitism. Additional information about this initiative will be made available in the coming weeks.
“In the shadow of history, sport represents not just a field of play, but a vital arena for memory, education and the fight against antisemitism,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. “Through initiatives such as 'Football and Memory' and 'Sports. Crowds. Power.,’ we are able to harness the universal language of sports to both remember the past and build a future free of hatred. These programs not only underscore our belief in the power of sports to unite and educate; they remind us that the lessons of history are as relevant on the playing field as they are in the classrooms and memorials around the world.”
UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, consists of the national football associations of Europe, as well as of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Turkey.
About Together Through Sports:
WJC’s Together Through Sports initiative was unveiled at a 2023 United Nations Human Rights Council side event in Geneva. Operating with the support of WhatMatters and a broad network of partners, the WJC works to implement activities focused on sports, antisemitism, and Holocaust remembrance. Over recent years, this initiative has spawned numerous activities, including regular trainings and public events organized by the German Football League, as well as workshops in collaboration with stakeholders in the sports sector in the Netherlands, Austria, and elsewhere.
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