AROUND TOWN

NOT LONG AGO. NOT FAR AWAY.

WRITTEN BY SOPHIE OSWALD / PHOTOS BY PAWEL SAWICKI

Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away opened at Union Station in June. Since then it has quickly become one of the most popular exhibitions Kansas City has ever hosted.

This exhibition tells the horrific history of those who were sent to Auschwitz Concentration Camp where they were enslaved, tortured, and murdered by Nazis. Out of the 1.3 million people who were sent to this camp, 1.1 million died.

Within this exhibition are more than 700 original artifacts and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and collections around the world. There are many items on display that belonged to victims and survivors such as clothing and accessories.

This is the most comprehensive collection dedicated to Auschwitz to ever be shown in North America. Kansas City is one of only two locations that will host this exhibition in the United States. It came to the area from New York City and will make its way back to Europe after its stop here. Attending this exhibition will likely be the only opportunity many will have to see these artifacts and to truly absorb this history.

This is more than the typical historical exhibit. “It clearly documents a major piece of history, but there is so much hate and intolerance in society and people are quick to judge. Learning how those things can spiral out of control—and looking at the Holocaust as maybe a worst case example—I think it’s a reminder to everybody now to accept people as they are; accept differences. Don’t impose your own beliefs on everyone else. Differences are okay,” explains Jerry Baber, executive vice president at Union Station.

School groups looking to organize a field trip to this exhibition are in luck, as there has been a lot of scholarship money made available. “It’s the first time we’ve ever been able to do that, so we’re really happy about that. It is thanks to a number of donors that really wanted access to that,” says Baber. He stressed the significance of getting kids to appreciate the magnitude of the Holocaust as they develop and become young adults.

While this exhibition was not created for children, nothing on display is so graphic that parents should fear their little ones seeing it. It is up to parents to decide if they would like to bring their children with them to learn about this history. This exhibition will be difficult for people of all ages to witness, but with that in mind, the truly horrific events that took place are important for young people to learn about and understand.

“I tell my family and friends to take 2-1/2 hours and really go on a person-

al journey with this, and really allow all of the emotions to go through you as you experience this story,” says Baber.

This will be an exhibition that will weigh on the hearts of those who attend, but the Holocaust is something that everyone should be educated about. There’s always a chance of something similar happening again, but by keeping these stories alive there is hope for our society to not repeat the mistakes of the past.

“We’re honored to be hosting this exhibition. We hope everybody in the community and in surrounding areas take advantage to see this and experience it,” said Baber.

This exhibition will remain in Kansas City through late January. Admission costs $23.50 for adults, $19 for seniors age 55 and over, $17.50 for students ages 3-22, and $15 for Union Station members and group members. Children age 2 and under do not require a ticket. You will find tickets and more information online at unionstation.org.