Sound in the Silence

Description

'Sound in the Silence' is an international remembrance project for youth, held at historically significant sites. High school students collaborate with artists to explore how the past connects to their present-day experiences. Through artistic workshops, participants gain new perspectives on European history, expressing their understanding through creative means. The project has taken place at various memorial sites, including Neuengamme, Ravensbrück, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Gusen-Mauthausen, and others. In 2025, it will be held in Pruszków, Poland, focusing on the Dulag 121 transit camp. Dulag 121, established by Nazi Germany, served as a transit camp for 390,000–650,000 civilians expelled from Warsaw during and after the Warsaw Uprising (1944). Located in Pruszków’s Railway Repair Workshops, many detainees were sent to labor or concentration camps. For years, public discourse largely focused on the Home Army fighters, leaving the voices of civilians unheard. The Dulag 121 Museum preserves these forgotten stories. A railway sign in Pruszków reads: “Warsaw passed through here”—one of the few memorials to the civilians affected by the Uprising. This lack of recognition is why Pruszków was chosen for Sound in the Silence 2025. Though the former camp buildings are now industrial spaces, remnants of Dulag 121’s past remain. Through artistic expression, participants will uncover the resilience and suffering of those who passed through Dulag 121, ensuring their stories are remembered. This immersive experience fosters a deeper understanding of history’s impact, bridging past and present.