Photo : © Pierre Chaussat. Coll. Theatro Stabile Turin.
The Shoah in Theater
Art meets collective memory in this deep dive into how theatre processes the unimaginable. From post-war Yiddish expressions to the modern stage, experts examine the complex relationship between artistic performance and historical truth. Join the conversation if you are curious about how the stage acts as a vessel for historical testimony.
Mémorial de la Shoah (Paris 4th)
About
The Shoah Memorial hosts an afternoon dedicated to the theatrical representation of the Holocaust on Sunday, October 18, 2026. From 14:00 to 16:00, scholars and academics examine how the stage has interpreted this historical trauma, from post-war Yiddish theater to contemporary works. This event is ideal for those interested in the intersections of history, memory, and performance art. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and the entry fee is 6€. The exact meeting point for the session will be provided to attendees one week prior to the event, ensuring a well-organized experience for all participants wishing to engage with these critical historical perspectives.
Introduction by Philippe Mesnard (Clermont Auvergne University).
PANEL 1: Theater in the Aftermath of the Shoah
Francesca Dainese (University of Padua) Surviving through Theater: Spectrality and Revenance in Liliane Atlan's Work
Eva Bitton (EHESS, PhD candidate) The Shoah: The Representable and the Unrepresentable in Yiddish Theater in Paris after World War II (1945-1952)
Annick Asso (Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier) Deported Humor in the Theater of George Tabori: My Mother's Courage and Mein Kampf
Moderated by Dominique Trimbur, Project Manager at the Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah (FMS).
PANEL 2: Contemporary Theater Facing the Memory of the Shoah
Sophie Lucet (University of Rennes 2) The Question of the Unrepresentable in Theater Addressing the Shoah
Gabrielle Desmet (University of Lille) Reflections on Kaddish, la femme chauve en peignoir rouge by Margaux Eskenazi, based on Imre Kertész
Charlotte Bouteille (University of Lille) "Acting" (at) Auschwitz? Regarding Kamp by the Hotel Modern Company (Rotterdam)
Moderated by Philippe Mesnard.
Our take on this event
On October 18, 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00, the Shoah Memorial presents a series of discussions regarding the legacy of the Holocaust in theatrical practice. Following an introduction by Philippe Mesnard, the program is divided into two distinct panels.
The first session, moderated by Dominique Trimbur, focuses on post-war theater. Speakers include Francesca Dainese on the work of Liliane Atlan, Eva Bitton on Yiddish theater in Paris between 1945 and 1952, and Annick Asso on the use of humor in the plays of George Tabori. The second panel, moderated by Philippe Mesnard, transitions to contemporary memory. Topics feature Sophie Lucet on the concept of the unrepresentable, Gabrielle Desmet on Margaux Eskenazi’s adaptation of Imre Kertész, and Charlotte Bouteille on the production Kamp by Hotel Modern.
Tickets are available for 6€. Please note that the specific meeting location will be sent to registered participants one week before the event. The site is fully wheelchair accessible. Reservations are required to attend these academic sessions.
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