Etty Hillesum Exchange

Description: This project will bring to great prominence the life and writings of Etty Hillesum, a Dutch writer who was murdered by the Nazis in 1943 in Auschwitz. The project will adapt educational materials for use in Kent schools and hold events in Canterbury and Middelburg (The Netherlands) to raise awareness of Etty Hilliesum’s work and share the results of the project.  

News: The project has achieved a major increase in the availability of educational materials on Etty’s life and works in the English language. Existing Dutch educational materials were translated into English: the film ‘Worden Wie Je Bent’ (Becoming Who You Are) for children aged 10-16, the teaching guide and the lesson pack. In addition, the project produced a new discussion pack for adults and a short film in English entitled ‘Who is Etty Hillesum and why should you read her?’ 

Etty’s example for future generations was the subject of an event in Canterbury on 24th February that was attended by over 200 people. Lord Rowan Williams and Professor Klaas Smelik were the speakers. The project also partnered with Canterbury Christ Church University, and East Kent Schools Together / The King’s School too organise educational events on the same day involving 160 participants, three quarters of whom were under 20 years of age. 

The educational materials were presented at a public event on 21 April 2023 at the Etty Hillesum House in Middelburg, which was also broadcast online and recorded. The Etty Hillesum House also made an English version of its Dutch website, and the English and Dutch materials can now be found on the education page, of the Etty Hillesum House website. https://ettyhillesumhuis.nl/en/education/