An Israeli artist whose grandmother survived the Holocaust but lost many family members in Ukraine has won an annual poster competition for Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah), Yad Vashem —the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem—announced on Tuesday.
The design of the 14th annual “Shaping Memory” Competition depicts a map of a town, symbolizing a typical Jewish community in keeping with the central theme of this year’s commemorations: “A Lost World: The Destruction of the Jewish Communities.”
The poster’s image, which was created by Ira Ginzburg, one of five artists and designers who submitted their creative concepts for consideration, also mimics a tree of life that ascends limitlessly, evoking the nostalgic memory of a family and the destruction of Jewish life in Europe and North Africa.
“My grandmother’s story is a tale of life and continuity, and there is no better time to discuss the need for rebuilding and nurturing roots than these days after the Oct. 7 massacre,” Ginzburg said.
She also created the winning poster in 2014.
“Our commitment to Holocaust remembrance is not just about preserving history; it’s about shaping memory,” Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan said in a written statement. “Our annual poster contest is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to bridge the gaps between history and present-day life.”
Last year’s winning poster was designed by 25-year-old Mai Nizan from Ramat Hasharon, north of Tel Aviv.
“The black in the center of the poster reflects the stain left by the war on humanity and the decline of moral values. On the other hand, the sun orb symbolizes the regenerating power of nature, growth and hope in the shadow of hardship,” said Nizan at the time.
Israel will begin marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at sundown on Sunday, May 5.
