“The Tattooist’s Pyjamas”

Over the course of the last 40 years, as information from previously inaccessible archives has come to the attention of historians, the events of the Holocaust have become increasingly better understood. Today, there is very little about the Holocaust that historians do not understand. At the same time, however, these events have experienced a certain popularity in the realm of cinema and literature, with some of their more enduring representations belonging decidedly to the realm of fiction. What might it mean for people to engage with the Holocaust through entirely make-believe stories? Is it problematic when those stories are predicated on impossibilities?

This panel discussion is moderated by Dr Simon Holloway, who will be joined by MHM educator Tracey Collie, Associate Professor David Slucki and award-winning novelist Suzy Zail. Together we will investigate the role of Holocaust-themed fiction in conveying the past, and will explore both the advantages and the perils of utilising such materials in the classroom.