Centering young voices in Holocaust Survivor stories
Hidden: Seven Children Saved
Melbourne, Australia
Lessons in empathy
Hidden is a permanent exhibition that narrates the journey of seven children who survived the horror of the Holocaust in hiding and started anew in Australia. This new exhibition and education space designed specifically for young people—and the award-winning, newly revitalised building by Kerstin Thompson Architects—was opened in November 2023 by Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese.
Using the voices of contemporary young people to retell their personal stories, Hidden invites young visitors to follow the journeys of the seven child Survivors. The Survivors’ narratives lead them through complex themes of prejudice and loss. Hinging on acts of kindness, the exhibition imparts universal lessons in empathy, compassion and courage to bridge historical events with modern life.
Young visitors view intimate, animated dioramas, peering through the windows of a three-dimensional streetscape, where first-person narratives recount deeply personal and relatable stories. They can then explore a maze of small cubbies, closets, and corners to uncover hidden objects, secret sounds, and animated moments. Through hands-on exploration, they truly feel each Survivor’s unique tale of loss, risk, and courage.
Hidden was developed in close consultation with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s pedagogical advisor and, of course, the seven (now elderly) Survivors. It demonstrates our team’s ability to deal with complex, emotional subject matter and educational objectives, then harness technology and exhibition design to create a digital and physical experience that deeply engages visitors.
At the museum, we know that sharing stories is the best way to connect to our shared humanity. For younger visitors to encounter stories of survivors, who were children like them during the war, but had incredible experiences of being in hiding and being rescued, what better way to learn about history and humanity, intolerance and kindness, justice and hope?
– Jayne Josem, Melbourne Holocaust Museum CEO & Director
