Cultural Heritage, Games

The Daffodil – A Jewish Symbol on the Map of Warsaw

One of the first uprisings in occupied Europe during the Second World War took place in the Warsaw Ghetto. The ghetto was an isolated part of the city in which the Jewish people were forced to live and which they were not allowed to leave. During the uprising, German forces tore down the Ghetto, burning house after house.  Thousands of Jews lost their lives and many more were taken to the concentration camps.

The uprising ended on the 8th of May when Mordechaj Anielewicz, one of the leaders of the uprising, and his Jewish soldiers committed suicide in the shelter on 18 Miła Street. A few militants managed to escape the burning streets of the Ghetto by using underground tunnels, among them Marek Edelman, the leader of the uprising, who died in 2009.

Mural: Marek Edelman trzymający żonkil

For many years afterwards on the 19th of April ­– the anniversary of the uprising – Marek Edelman received yellow flowers from an anonymous sender. They were daffodils, tulips or other flowers which were in season during the spring. Edelman laid them down under the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes.

This created an unofficial tradition which celebrated the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising outside the official celebrations established by the communist government. At this time, Marek Edelman was a known member of the resistance. Many years later, POLIN (Museum of the History of Polish Jews) organized the campaign “Daffodils” with the aim of reminding us all about the tragic events which took place in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Create your own daffodil and support the campaign commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising!

materiały niezbędne do przygotowania przypinki

MATERIALS

  • Template (available to download below)
  • Yellow paper
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Double-sided tape

Step 1

Download the template which is available above. Print it on yellow paper and cut out the shapes. Now, fold element 1 along the solid line across the centre and apply the glue to element 1 as shown both in the picture and in the instructions below it (the places to glue are a darker shade). In this way, glue together elements 1 and 2.

Step 2

Fold element 3 along the solid line across the centre. Now, cut element 3 in the middle, along the dotted line. Apply the glue to the areas of element 3 that are shaded in the diagram.  Glue element 3 to the previously attached elements 1 and 2. Now your pin is ready. In order to wear it, use double-sided tape. Stick one side of the tape to the back of your daffodil, then peel off the paper on the other side to stick the daffodil to your clothes.

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