Skip to main content

🕯️ International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism( November 9)

 Remembering the Past. Fighting for the Future.
✍️ By CRA | https://craarts.blogspot.com


“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana

Every year on November 9, people around the world mark the International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism, a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and a clarion call to resist hate in all its forms.

This observance is initiated by the UNITED for Intercultural Action Network, a European grassroots movement promoting human rights, equality, and solidarity.


🕯️ Why November 9?

This date marks the anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass”, which occurred on November 9–10, 1938 in Nazi Germany. Synagogues were torched, Jewish homes and businesses were destroyed, and nearly 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps. It was a horrifying prelude to the Holocaust.

The memory of Kristallnacht urges us to confront the dangerous rise of:

  • ❌ Fascist ideologies

  • ❌ Racism, xenophobia, and hate speech

  • ❌ Antisemitism and Holocaust denial


✊ A Day of Action, Not Just Remembrance

While this day honors the victims of fascism and antisemitism, it also energizes communities to take action:

  • 🗣️ Educate yourself and others about the Holocaust and fascist regimes

  • 🎨 Create art, literature, or music that promotes tolerance and diversity

  • 🕊️ Participate in vigils, memorials, or solidarity events

  • 📱 Share awareness posts with hashtags like #NoMoreHate and #RememberKristallnacht

  • 🧩 Support groups fighting hate crimes and extremist ideologies


🎨 Artistic Reflection: Painting Against Hate

As an artist, I believe art is resistance. A single image — a shadowed menorah, a torn passport, a broken window under moonlight — can carry the weight of memory and the spark of awakening. Art humanizes history. It confronts silence. It connects generations.

Let us use our creative voices to challenge bigotry and inspire change.


🌍 A Universal Message

Though rooted in European history, this day holds global relevance. Across the world, we continue to see the effects of extremist ideologies: antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and authoritarianism.

By acknowledging history, we shape a future grounded in:

  • 🕊️ Peace

  • ⚖️ Justice

  • 👫 Inclusion

  • 📚 Education

  • 🖼️ Creative resistance


📌 Final Word

The International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism is not just a memorial. It is a moral checkpoint — for individuals, communities, and nations. Let’s not only remember the past but defend the dignity of every human being, today and always.


🔗 Continue exploring art, remembrance, and activism at https://craarts.blogspot.com

Comments

Most visited

Oyilattam: The Graceful Tamil Folk Dance of Rhythmic Movements

Introduction Oyilattam , a vibrant and energetic folk dance from Tamil Nadu, is a mesmerizing art form that blends rhythmic movements, colorful costumes, and traditional music. The word “Oyil” means grace or beauty , and “Attam” means dance —together, they describe a performance that celebrates elegance and cultural pride. Often showcased during festivals and community gatherings, Oyilattam is not just entertainment—it’s a living expression of Tamil heritage and unity. 🌿 Origins and Cultural Significance Oyilattam traces its roots to rural Tamil Nadu, where it was traditionally performed by men during harvest festivals, temple rituals, and even to mark victories in battle. Over the years, women too began participating, enriching the art form with new layers of expression and vibrancy. This dance carries deep cultural meaning, symbolizing unity, valor, and devotion . It is most commonly performed during: Pongal – the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu 🌾 Temple festivals ...

🥁 Thappattam (Parai Attam): The Rhythmic Soul of Tamil Nadu

🌿 Introduction Thappattam , also known as Parai Attam , is one of the oldest and most dynamic traditional art forms of Tamil Nadu. Rooted deeply in Tamil culture, it is a mesmerizing blend of drumming, dance, and storytelling . More than just performance, it is an expression of community, resistance, celebration, and identity . Originally used as a tool of communication and announcements in villages, the Parai evolved into a powerful performance art form that continues to echo the resilience and heritage of Tamil society , especially the voices of the marginalized. 🥁 The Instrument: Parai (Thappu) The word “Parai” means to speak or to tell . True to its name, the Parai drum is not just an instrument—it is a storyteller. Materials: Traditionally crafted from neem or tamarind wood, with cow or goat skin stretched across the frame. Technique: Played while standing, using two distinct sticks— sundu kucchi (slender stick) and adi kucchi (flat stick). The beats are stron...

Hamburg University’s Historic Investment to Preserve Tamil Heritage – A Deep Dive into the Tamilex Project

Introduction The Tamil language ranks among the world’s oldest continuously spoken and written languages, with roots extending more than 2,000 years. Its vast literature spans poetry, grammar, epics, philosophical texts, and much more. In recent years, a remarkable initiative by Hamburg University (Germany) has captured the attention of Tamil scholars worldwide: a large-scale project to build a historical lexicon and digital corpus of Classical Tamil literature , reportedly involving funding equivalent to nearly 100 crore Indian rupees in institutional support. ( LinkedIn ) In this post, we examine the scope, goals, and cultural importance of this project — often featured in Tamil media as a “100 crore project for Tamil” — and explain why it matters internationally. What Is the Tamilex Project? The Tamilex initiative is a long-term academic research program at the University of Hamburg (Germany), aimed at producing the first-ever comprehensive historical dictionary and electroni...