We believe that the arts are a fantastic tool to raise awareness and promote discussion and using the arts to tackle intolerance is an important aspect of our work. We worked in partnership with the US based Defiant Requiem Foundation, Durham Cathedral, Durham University, Northumbria University and Durham Choral Society to bring Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, to the UK for its UK premiere.

The performance told the story of the Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II who performed Verdi’s Requiem while experiencing the depths of human degradation. We developed a large education programme with Northumbria University including discussion events, schools work, film screenings and a special performance of The Tin Ring. The programme culminated with over a thousand people attending Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín in Durham Cathedral during holocaust memorial week.