Student Exhibit at Ravensbrück Memorial – June 2026

The reach of the graphic novel Emmie Arbel: The Color of Memory (Emmie Arbel. Die Farbe der Erinnerung) extends beyond professional and university settings, and into the classroom. In one school project in Germany, Year 8 and 9 pupils studying “remembrance” in their Protestant religious education classes created 21 acrylic paintings inspired by Emmie’s story as a contemporary witness. The art was created for an interfaith commemoration marking the anniversary of liberation of Ravensbrück concentration camp in April of 1945. Through their paintings, the students reflected on a central idea running through all such projects: that the past is not something to leave behind, but something to carry forward with colour, and with hope.

The student exhibition “Memory of Colour” (Erinnerung der Farbe) opened at the Ravensbrück Memorial on June 17, 2026. During the event, guests were welcomed by Dr. Matthias Heyl, Head of the Memorial’s Education Department. Religious education teacher Holger Schmidtke provided insights into the project’s development and the students’ engagement with Emmie Arbel’s story. The presence of Emmie Arbel herself was a truly special experience for the students, and they presented and explained the artworks they had created. Musical accompaniment was provided by Corry Sindern and the artworks remain on display in the Ravensbrück Memorial’s Grand Foyer.

Left: Emmie Arbel being greeted by teacher Holger Schmidtkel on June 17, at the exhibit opening at the Ravensbrück Memorial.
 Right & Below: Students showcasing their work and meeting with Emmie’ (2026).