Roman Abramovich makes ‘generous donation’ to Imperial War Museum Shoah exhibit

Roman Abramovich has made a “generous donation” to the Imperial War Museum’s (IWM) new Holocaust Galleries.

The Russian Jewish billionaire’s funds will help the IWM’s London hub to complete the next phase of its £30.5 million educational project about the Second World War.

The new galleries focus on the war, the Holocaust and include digitally-enabled Learning Suite, all of which are aimed at transforming the way visitors learn about the history of the period.

Diane Lees, Director General, IWM said: “We’re delighted to announce this generous donation from Roman Abramovich”.

She added that it will “enable IWM to reinterpret these galleries, which will present critical insights into the Holocaust as well as integrate the devastating events of the Holocaust into the broader history of the Second World War, revealing why this often overlooked dimension is so important”

This comes after Chelsea Football club, which Abramovich owns, launched a campaign to stamp out antisemitism in the sport, earlier this year. The initiative was launched with the support World Jewish Congress and other UK and international Jewish groups.

The support from the club for the exhibition was agreed earlier this year and will form part of its educational campaign. Chelsea will also hold a fundraising dinner for the IWM galleries.

Earlier this month, the club announced it intends to send fans caught chanting antisemitic songs on educational trips to Auschwitz, instead of dishing out lifetime bans.

Bruce Buck, Chairman Chelsea FC, said Roman “Abramovich and the club are very pleased to contribute to IWM’s new Holocaust galleries which we believe will help improve education and awareness about the Holocaust. Earlier this year, our club launched a campaign to raise awareness of and tackle anti-Semitism in all its forms.

“Education and understanding of history plays an important role in changing attitudes, and we are proud to be able to contribute to these new landmark galleries that will benefit millions of visitors from around the world.”

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