https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/11/22/
president-isaac-herzog-visits-stamford-bridge-for-exhibition-tri
President Isaac Herzog visits Stamford Bridge for exhibition tributing
Jewish athletes who were murdered during the Holocaust
22 Nov 2021
On Sunday afternoon, Chelsea Foundation hosted the exhibition 49 Flames at
Stamford Bridge in the presence of his Excellency Israeli President Isaac
Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog.
https://i.imgur.com/AVXmdub.jpg
Chelsea Football Club first commissioned British Israeli street artist
Solomon Souza in January 2020 to paint a mural of three footballers who
were victims of Nazi concentration camps. To expand the club's work using
sport history to tell the stories of the Holocaust, the club commissioned
Solomon again to develop the 49 Flames exhibition to tell the stories of
Jewish sportsmen and women who died during the Second World War. The
exhibition was first installed at Stamford Bridge for Holocaust Memorial
Day 2021.
The event brought together leaders of the Jewish community, as well as
representatives from Chelsea FC and the Premier League. The event was also
attended by club owner Roman Abramovich, who initiated the club's Say No
to Antisemitism campaign back in 2018.
Chelsea Chairman, Bruce Buck gave opening remarks at the event and
reiterated the club's commitment to fight antisemitism.
'Since we installed this art piece for Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 – we
have had tens of thousands of Chelsea fans see it live at the stadium and
engage with the stories of these three men online.
https://i.imgur.com/D3gVL1y.jpg
Chelsea Chairman Bruce Buck with his Excellency Israeli President Isaac
Herzog
'This piece has struck a chord with our fans as it shows that no one, not
even your national heroes and football stars, are immune to antisemitism
or racism. It affects everyone – and that is why all of us must play our
role in combatting it.'
The guest of honour for the event was Sir Ben Helfgott, Holocaust survivor
and former British Olympic weightlifter. Sir Ben is the only known
concentration camp survivor to have participated in the Olympics,
previously holding the British Lightweight Champion title for seven years.
Sir Ben has since spent his life promoting Holocaust education, meeting
with national leaders in the UK to promote cultural integration and peace.
Sir Ben was accompanied by his son and grandson, who read an extract from
the text which his grandfather had contributed to the 49 Flames
exhibition.
'The shadows of the Holocaust, which has darkened the consciousness of the
Jewish people, has never left us. Survivors have not allowed Hitler to
enjoy a posthumous triumph over us.
'We have shown that the misery, cruelty, despair and injustice that was
inflicted on us did not break our indomitable spirit. Nor did it break our
capacity for forgiveness, love and compassion.
https://i.imgur.com/1AnBSn4.jpg
Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich met Sir Ben Helfgott, Michael Helfgott
and Sam Helfgott
'I have tried to live my life showing that people have the capacity to
survive the most dreadful experiences and can emerge with the ability not
just to live like human beings, but to exhibit the finest aspects of human
behaviour.'
During the event, Solomon Souza painted a live portrait of Sir Ben which
will be used within the Say No to Antisemitism campaign and later gifted
to Sir Ben. President Herzog and Mr Abramovich both added their mark to
the painting together along with Sir Ben, coming together to celebrate his
92nd birthday, which falls today.
https://i.imgur.com/CckACZE.jpg
Roman Abramovich with his Excellency Israeli President Isaac Herzog and
artist Solomon Souza
The event was concluded with remarks from President Herzog, who thanked
the club and Mr Abramovich for his ongoing commitment in fighting
antisemitism, racism and discrimination.
'Thank you, Roman Abramovich, Bruce Buck, leaders, players and members of
Chelsea. Working together with you over the past few years has been a true
honour and pleasure, in combating and saying no to antisemitism.
'This has left me hopeful. Your football club is a shining example of how
sports and teams can be a force of good and for shaping a more tolerant
tomorrow.
'Thank you all for recruiting your influence in sports, perhaps the most
powerful instrument for reaching the greater public, as an educational
tool against antisemitism and racism and for the advancement of mutual
acceptance and diversity.
'And to educate the next generation about tolerance and mutual respect.'
You can visit the 49 Flames exhibition online https://www.49flames.com