Holocaust Memorial of Corfu, Corfu

The Holocaust Memorial of Corfu is a poignant tribute to the 2000 Jewish citizens of Corfu who perished in the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps during World War II. The monument was erected in 2001 in memory of the tragic events that took place in June 1944 when the German troops deported 1800 Jews from the island to the concentration camps.

The monument is located in a small square in the north of the old town of Kerkyra, where the center of the Jewish community of the island used to be before the war. The Jewish community of Corfu was the strongest in Greece before the war, but tragically, only a handful of survivors returned to the island after the war ended.

The bronze sculpture by Georgios Karahalios depicts a naked family of four, symbolizing the vulnerability and helplessness of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The text on the plaque reads, "Never again for any nation," reminding us of the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and ensuring that such atrocities never happen again.

The monument is a joint effort by the municipality and the Jewish community of Corfu, a testament to the importance of remembering the past and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives. It serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the need to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect for all people regardless of their religion, race, or ethnicity.