Knowledge of one’s own history is essential for building a better future, said Gideon Greif, one of the world’s most renowned Holocaust scholars, in an interview with RTRS.
“In recent times, we have witnessed very aggressive attempts to distort historical facts — in the name of Croatia and the supporters of the Ustasha movement. We must fight against this because it represents a second killing of the victims. We are here to be their voice, as they can no longer speak or protest. We are here to stand against all efforts to destroy or falsify history — and history must be based on scientific facts,” Greif said.
He emphasized that history cannot be changed or buried.
“We must fight for the truth. That is one of the reasons why the Center for Socio-Political Research of Republika Srpska and its director, Dušan Pavlović, launched this remarkable program. I am very happy, even proud, to be here, to lecture alongside Pavlović, and to help raise a new generation of young people from Republika Srpska who will fight for the truth,” he added.
Greif stressed that this mission is especially important today, when some people, as he noted, use historical revisionism for daily political purposes.
“The fight against historical revisionism — especially regarding the Holocaust and the genocide committed in the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) — is not an easy task. But I believe it is possible when you have dedicated young people who know the truth and the facts. They can do it. There are many common elements between Holocaust denial — the catastrophe of the Jewish people in World War II caused by German Nazis — and the catastrophe suffered by the Serb people at the hands of the Ustasha and other enemies,” Greif explained.
He added that there are many parallels, providing a strong foundation for mutual learning, teaching, and research on both tragedies.
“Our nations share much in common — not only in suffering, but also in good times. Yet there has been great persecution and many killings. We must know that, study it, research it, and teach it,” Greif concluded.
Source: RTRS
