Students honour Windermere Child Harry Olmer in Holocaust Memorial Day performance
Multi-faith student performance marking 80 years since Windermere Children is dedicated to Holocaust survivor Harry Olmer MBE
A live performance bringing together dance, music and spoken testimony was staged in London on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day to honour Windermere Child and Holocaust survivor Harry Olmer MBE, who died earlier this month.
The production, presented at the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden on Monday evening, marked 80 years since the arrival of the Windermere Children in Britain and served as the final performance of this year’s programme. It was dedicated entirely to Olmer, who was 98.
The performance interwove verbatim Holocaust testimony with newly composed music and choreography, performed by students from CORE Education Trust schools, the Royal Ballet School and the National Youth Music Theatre. Spoken words were drawn directly from survivor interviews and archival material, while songs and movement acted as a contemporary response.
Opening the evening, Echo Eternal co-founder and CEO Adrian Packer CBE told the audience the project was rooted in accuracy and responsibility.
“Echo Eternal was grounded in Holocaust survivor testimony, and we take that really seriously,” he said. “Every word you hear has been thought about with care. We want to get it right.”
Packer said the anniversary made this year’s performance particularly significant.
“This is a very special year because we’re commemorating just over 80 years since the story of the Windermere Children,” he said. “And this is for Harry.”
On stage, young performers moved between scenes exploring childhood, loss, survival and rebuilding life in Britain after the Holocaust. One section focused on the Windermere Children, while another centred on Olmer’s experiences, using imagery drawn directly from his testimony.
For the students involved, the final performance carried particular weight.
Chani, 15, a student at CORE Arena Academy, said learning about the Holocaust through Olmer’s story had transformed her understanding.
“It’s one person, but out of millions who suffered these atrocities, and it makes it feel really personal,” she said.
Kayanna, 16, a student at CORE Arena Academy, said performing Olmer’s story went far beyond classroom learning.
“I knew a bit about the Holocaust from GCSE history, but it wasn’t close to this,” she said. “They didn’t get to see their parents. They were separated. They were killed. It definitely opened up my eyes.”
Fatima, 16, a student at CORE City Academy, said the group felt a deep responsibility carrying Olmer’s words on stage. “For some, it may just be a performance, but to us it’s a story. It’s a testimony that we’ve been given.”
She added: “We’re retelling his testimony to let his family know that we haven’t forgotten what happened.”
Nico, 17, a student at the Royal Ballet School, said the collaboration itself had been formative.
“Seeing different art forms come together has been really inspiring,” he said. “It’s made me appreciate what the musicians do, what the actors do – how a performance doesn’t have to be just one thing.”
The performance closed with the ensemble piece We Are The Light, bringing all performers together on stage and repeating the refrain: “I will not look away. I will not be silent.”
Members of Olmer’s family attended the performance, describing the evening as deeply emotional.
His son Michael said: “Speaking purely for myself, I found this evening much more difficult than the funeral.”
Olmer’s children spoke of a father shaped by lifelong trauma but driven by a determination to educate.
“Dad suffered trauma for all his life,” said his daughter Julia. “The screaming at night was always in German.”
Despite this, they said he was committed to sharing his experiences constructively.
“From a young age, he always wanted to make sure that whatever he went through was shared,” said Julia.
The educational impact of the performance was highlighted by Akil Dowe, assistant headteacher at CORE City Academy.
“The project has always been part of our students’ personal development and the building of their character,” he said.
Dowe added: “As times become more polarised, the message is that the human spirit can triumph against hate, division and dehumanisation. That message is universal, irrespective of faith.”
Closing the evening, broadcaster and project co-founder Natasha Kaplinsky OBE paid tribute to Olmer and the young people carrying his testimony forward.
“Harry was by far our greatest supporter,” she said. “He was here every year, and always with that smile and nod of approval.”
She ended with a call to the audience beyond the performance itself.
“It’s down to all of us to make sure that this echo is eternal.”
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