Hidden: Seven Children Saved

‘Hidden: Seven Children Saved' at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum (MHM) offers a poignant exploration of the Holocaust for 11-14-year-olds. This permanent exhibition narrates the journey of seven children who, having survived the horror of the Holocaust in hiding, started anew in Australia. Utilizing first-person storytelling and hands-on exploration, young visitors are guided through complex themes of prejudice and loss, hinging on acts of kindness as the north star, imparting universal lessons in empathy, compassion and courage to bridge historical events with modern life.

We sought to forge a personal connection between these survivors and the young visitors by centering on the extraordinary lives of Paul, John, Floris, Joe, Halina, Sonia, and Henri. Each child’s badge, given to students upon entry, serves as a key to unlocking these personal stories, tracing their journey from a peaceful pre-war existence through the terror of Nazi persecution during hiding to their liberation and eventual resettlement in Australia.

‘The Village' experience represents Jewish communal life. A white diorama—complete with tiny streets and buildings evoking the architecture of Poland, Germany and France—serves as a canvas for storytelling, depicting life before, during, and after Nazi rule. A panoramic film alongside synchronized soundscapes breathes life into the village as projection-mapped silhouettes of residents gradually fade away, symbolizing worsening conditions under Nazi rule. The students peer through windows with headphones on to discover animated dioramas, narrated in the child’s voice, that vividly recounts the deepening crisis and provide a deeply personal window into their experiences.
In 'Hiding,' students navigate a compact maze of cubbies, closets, and corners, embodying the seclusion their survivor had to endure. Motion sensors and light-up cues activate as they open windows and doors to reveal hidden objects, secret sounds, and animations that narrate survivors' stories of loss, risk, and bravery, emphasizing the acts of kindness that were key to their survival.
The impact of "Hidden" goes beyond historical facts, linking Holocaust lessons with universal values that promote human rights. Telling the survivors’ stories in a youthful first-person voice allows children to relate to the survivors as people beyond historical figures.