06-08-2025
The centre looking at freedom, tolerance and the Holocaust through north London eyes
A nationwide arts project looking at freedom during the Second World War compared to freedom we enjoy today — eight decades on — starts at Hampstead's JW3 cultural centre next month.
It involves 60 arts centres and libraries all over the UK marking the 80th anniversary of the war ending in 1945.
JW3 is the only faith centre among the 60 venues chosen by the Arts Council to take part, backed by the Government.
Each venue takes a different aspect of 'Freedom then and now' with JW3 looking at the impact of the Holocaust down the generations.
Organisers are looking for people for the project aged 18 to 35 to create artwork inspired by a family member or someone affected by the Holocaust or a story that resonates with them.
Those taking part would choose their own art medium such as film, spoken word, digital, recording, photography, painting or poetry.
'Poetry is a form of freedom like all art,' the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage says. 'It is the right to say what we want, where and whenever we like.
'Freedom makes art possible to exist — but most noticeable when it's under threat, which is a warning against taking it for granted.'
Freedom, Armitage argues, requires 'a live-and-let-live neighbourly tolerance'.
Anyone joining the nine sessions at JW3 would be guided by professional artists like poet and theatre maker Adam Kammerling.
Two sessions are at a professional recording studio, to learn how to do a podcast with a production company to bring the project to a wider audience.
All the work goes on show in a public exhibition opening November 23 at JW3 in Finchley Road.
The nationwide project explores the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day with all 60 venues 'building Britain's cultural fabric', each taking on a different aspect.
The theme at JW3 is what the Holocaust means to younger generations, looking back to the time when six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered by the Nazis in German occupied Europe.
The industrialised, state-orchestrated genocide was the worst in human history, murdering a third of the world's total Jewish population.
A handful of Holocaust survivors now in their 80s, 90s and older live today in north London.
Heading up the JW3 end of the project is Thamar Barnett, who said: 'The impact of the Holocaust continues to echo across generations — not just remembrance but in the resilience and dignity of those who survived it.
'We are exploring the meaning of freedom, its fragile nature and its power.'
The evening sessions include 'research' on September 1 and 8, on 'making art' September 15, 29, October 20 and 27, on 'podcast recording' November 3 and 10 and on 'launching the exhibition' November 23, all starting 6.30pm.
The project defines what freedom means and the role of 'safe public spaces' like JW3. It is a journey of discovery for like-minded young people wanting to make a difference in today's world and seeing the past from a new perspective.
