More than just Games - 7th Floor Media works with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre on a controversial Olympics-themed exhibit
VANCOUVER October 21, 2009
On October 15, 2009 the Vancouver Holocaust Centre launched a critically acclaimed exhibit with a timely subject - Canada's participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The resulting flurry of media attention - from the National on CBC to the Globe and Mail and the Vancouver Sun - demonstrates the depth of feeling about the Olympics amongst Canadians.
In 1936, Nazi Germany camouflaged its racism and militarism while hosting the Winter and Summer Olympics. MORE THAN JUST GAMES offers insights into the Nazis' antisemitic and exclusionary policies, Canada's participation in the Games, its response to the international boycott debate and the experiences of individual athletes.
7th Floor Media contributed two touchscreen interactivities delving deeper into the stories of the some of the Jewish athletes, Canadian and German, who were forced to make a choice about their participation in Hitler's Games.
Should they go and attempt to refute the Nazi propaganda by demonstrating their strength and skill? Should they boycott the Games entirely and throw away years of dedication and training? Under pressure from many directions - their community, their teammates, their families, their coaches and the Canadian Olympic Committee - these young athletes made choices that still resonate. For the German Jewish athletes, many of whom were training abroad, the choice could have dire consequences for their family at home.
Filled with fascinating and heart-wrenching personal stories the interactive exhibits bring to life, in video and photographs, the debates and dilemmas of the times. "We were so pleased to contribute to such a rich and fascinating exhibit", says Noni Mate, co-Director of 7th Floor Media. "The VHEC is well-known for its dedication to thoughtful, enlightening educational experiences. Collaborating with them is always an enriching experience."
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Media Contact
7th Floor Media
Tel: 778-782-5272
Fax: 778-782-5173
Email: media@7thfloormedia.com
About 7th Floor Media
A non-profit multimedia research and development centre in the Faculty of Continuing Studies at Simon Fraser University, it has a twenty-year record of creating outstanding educational and cultural new media experiences.
Frieda Miller, Executive Director
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
Tel: 604-264-0499
Email: fmiller@vhec.org