HAMPDEN-SYDNEY – A Holocaust Symposium: Origins and Legends of the Nazi Genocide asks a question the February 27 through March 1 event at Hampden-Sydney College aims to answer:

What moral lessons does the Nazi Holocaust teach the human community?

To enable students and the public to consider this issue in depth the seminar was created.

Now in its 15th year, the interdisciplinary seminar invites critical reflection on the political and spiritual failures that made such an event as the Holocaust possible, to learn of the brutal efficiency whereby millions of Jews and other “undesirables” deemed expendable were exterminated, to ponder introspectively one's contemporary and future role in combating prejudice and hatred.

Within this framework, the Holocaust Symposium expands the opportunity for moral discernment to the entire college community and the general public. Through theatrical performance, scholarly presentations and critique, personal reflections by college alumni, and a museum exhibit, the symposium offers attendees stark opportunity to confront the horrific consequences of human evil left unchallenged.

There is no adequate human atonement for the countless millions of slaughtered innocents. Yet the symposium aspires, through thoughtful and reverential remembrance, to help give voice to the victims.

“May this symposium cause us to honor their memory by renewing our resolve to help shape communities of understanding and respect.”

That is the symposium's self-proclaimed legacy.

The symposium schedule includes:

Performances of C. P. Taylor's Good on February 28 and March 1 at 8 p.m. in Johns Auditorium.

What is a Good Life?: A Dramaturgical Discussion of the the play, Good, with Professor Matthew Dubroff on February 27 at 7 p.m. in Crawley Forum.

Speaker Dr. Jeffrey Herf will address “Words and Deeds during World War II and the Holocaust: Nazism's Anti-Semitic Propaganda for Germany and for the Arab Countries” on February 28 at 4 p.m. in Crawley Forum. H-SC faculty members James Frustretta, James F. Pontuso, and Mary Prevo will also participate.

“Combating Bigotry and Hatred” – Personal Reflections by a panel of “Holocaust Seminar” alumni with Professor Bob Rogers will be held on March 1 at 4 p.m. in Crawley Forum.

All events are free and open to the public.