Photo : Assistance durant la cérémonie inaugurale du Mémorial du Martyr juif inconnu, le 30 octobre 1956, à Paris. ©Mémorial de la Shoah/M.M.J.I
70th anniversary of the Memorial to the Unknown Jewish Martyr, which became the Shoah Memorial
Step into a poignant chapter of 20th-century history by exploring the origins and vision behind the founding of the Shoah Memorial. Through rare archival footage and insightful discussions, you will uncover the dedication that forged this vital place of remembrance in the heart of the capital.
Mémorial de la Shoah (Paris 4th)
About
On Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 14:30 to 16:30, the Shoah Memorial hosts a special event marking the 70th anniversary of the Memorial of the Unknown Jewish Martyr. This free gathering explores the history behind the site founded by Isaac Schneersohn, using period archives and images to analyze the international and national dynamics of its 1956 inauguration. The session offers a unique opportunity to understand the evolution of this monument dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. Located in the 4th arrondissement, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that everyone can attend this significant commemoration of historical heritage.
Under the decisive initiative of Isaac Schneersohn, founder of the Centre for Contemporary Jewish Documentation in 1943, the first stone of the Tomb of the Unknown Jewish Martyr, dedicated to the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, was laid in 1953 at 17 Rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier, Paris. Three years later, the building was inaugurated with great ceremony in the presence of numerous dignitaries and representatives of Jewish communities from around the world. This consecration of Schneersohn’s visionary project was the culmination of a long path strewn with obstacles. This afternoon will be devoted to the French and international dynamics and issues at play in the creation of the Memorial's ancestor, and will look back with images and archives on the inauguration of October 30, 1956.
Opening – Jacques Fredj, Director of the Shoah Memorial.
In the presence of Laura Hobson Faure, Professor of History at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Lior Lalieu, Head of the Shoah Memorial Photo Library, Simon Perego, Associate Professor of Contemporary History at Inalco, and Karen Taieb, Head of the Archives Department at the Shoah Memorial.
Moderated by Paul Gradvohl, Professor of History at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Our take on this event
This event on November 29, 2026, commemorates seven decades since the establishment of the Memorial of the Unknown Jewish Martyr. Initiated by Isaac Schneersohn, founder of the Center for Contemporary Jewish Documentation, the site was conceived to honor the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. The afternoon will delve into the challenges faced during its creation and reflect on the grand inauguration held on October 30, 1956, through a detailed presentation of archival materials and historical photographs.
The program includes an opening address by Jacques Fredj, Director of the Shoah Memorial. Insights will be provided by a panel of distinguished speakers, including Laura Hobson Faure, Lior Lalieu, Simon Perego, and Karen Taieb, with moderation by historian Paul Gradvohl. Together, they will examine the significance of this founding institution and its role in modern memory.
The session runs from 14:30 to 16:30. Attendance is free, though reservation is required to secure a spot. The Shoah Memorial, situated in Paris's 4th district, provides full wheelchair accessibility to accommodate all visitors for this commemorative afternoon.
32°C
Weather forecast
Ciel dégagé
