Photo : Raul Hilberg ©Jacques Sassiet / Gallimard
International Symposium - Raul Hilberg, a historian and his century: writing the history of the Holocaust, yesterday and today
History buffs and cinema enthusiasts, join us for a deep dive into the legacy of Raul Hilberg and the monumental task of documenting the Shoah. Experts gather for these sessions to analyze the intersection of academic research and powerful filmmaking through exclusive insights.
Mémorial de la Shoah (Paris 4th)
About
The Shoah Memorial hosts an opening conference dedicated to historian Raul Hilberg on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 15:30 to 18:00. This event, which is wheelchair accessible, brings together researchers and key witnesses to explore the evolution of Holocaust historiography. Through a keynote lecture by Olof Bortz and a panel discussion focusing on Claude Lanzmann's film Shoah, attendees can examine historical methodology and the role of cinematic archives. Admission is free upon registration, and the event is intended for visitors aged 18 and over.
On the program for this first day of the symposium, an inaugural lecture given by historian Olof Bortz, followed by a roundtable on Raul Hilberg's participation in the film Shoah, by Claude Lanzmann, with the screening of raw footage excerpts.
In the presence of Florent Brayard, historian, Director of Research at the CNRS, Olof Bortz, historian, Stockholm University (Sweden), Caroline Champetier, cinematographer, assistant to William Lubtschansky for the film Shoah, Jacques Fredj, Director of the Mémorial de la Shoah, Julie Maeck, historian, head of auditorium programming at the Mémorial de la Shoah, and Irena Steinfeldt-Levy, assistant to Claude Lanzmann for the film Shoah.
The symposium will be held on November 9 and 10 at the German Historical Institute and at the EHESS.
In partnership with the Centre de recherches historiques (EHESS-CNRS), the Centre d’histoire de Sciences Po Paris, and the German Historical Institute.
Our take on this event
This opening session at the Shoah Memorial launches an extensive academic inquiry into the work of Raul Hilberg. The program features an inaugural lecture by historian Olof Bortz, followed by a panel discussion examining Hilberg’s participation in Claude Lanzmann’s seminal film, Shoah. The discussion will be supplemented by the screening of excerpts from the film’s original rushes to provide deeper insight into the creative and historical process.
The panel includes prominent speakers such as Florent Brayard, Olof Bortz, Caroline Champetier, Jacques Fredj, Julie Maeck, and Irena Steinfeldt-Levy. These experts will discuss the archival challenges and the scientific rigour involved in documenting history. The event is presented in partnership with the Centre de recherches historiques, the Centre d’histoire de Sciences Po, and the German Historical Institute.
The conference is open to adults aged 18 and older. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible. While attendance is free of charge, prior registration is required to participate in this event.
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