The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) perform for His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace to showcase Holocaust memorial project.
On Monday 13th January 2025, Young Company Members from the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), in partnership with CORE Education Trust, Holocaust Educational Trust, and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, were invited to Buckingham Palace to meet His Majesty the King, King Charles. The occasion recognised the innovative impact of the Echo Eternal programme, which educates young people about the Holocaust and honours survivors through creative responses to their testimonies. This programme not only commemorates the lives of those affected by the Holocaust but also fosters an ongoing conversation around genocide awareness and Holocaust remembrance through theatre and the arts.
Echo Eternal, an initiative conceived by CORE Education Trust, aims to bring together diverse groups of young people to engage with these vital subjects. The programme provides a unique opportunity for students to reflect on the enduring legacies of Holocaust survivors and contribute to an artistic dialogue around peace and human rights. As part of NYMT's broader mission to empower young people through music theatre, the Echo Eternal project continues to serve as a powerful platform for youth voices, ensuring the past remains a source of education and change.
Karolina Przasnyska, participant and NYMT member, comments, Performing as a violinist with the NYMT and Echo Eternal for the King was an unforgettable experience. Our performance at Buckingham Palace to start 2025 served as a powerful reminder of how the arts can be used to honour the past and inspire hope for the future.
The performance at Buckingham Palace featured three deeply moving songs, including Wiegala by Ilse Weber, who was killed with her son during the Holocaust, We Are The Light, with lyrics written by Birmingham schoolchildren, reflecting themes of defiance against hatred and prejudice, and Weep No More, a poignant piece that evokes a sense of solace and hope, encouraging resilience in the face of loss and hardship.
Echo Eternal was a tribute to two survivors: Zigi Shipper, the first survivor featured in the programme, and Zdenka Fantlova. Zdenka’s testimony, shared annually with participants, ensures that all young people involved understand their role as guardians of the survivors’ legacies. Each participant receives a replica of the tin ring featured in her testimony, a poignant symbol of her legacy.
Further Information: Welcome - National Youth Music Theatre