The Malach Centre for Visual History – An Invaluable Facility of Knowledge












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            * The Malach Centre for Visual History – An Invaluable Facility of Knowledge
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            “To overcome prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry – and the suffering they cause – through 

            use of the Institute’s visual history testimonies”. This is the mission statement of The I
            Visual History and Education, an archive filled to the brim with stories of some from of t
            biggest events.

            Entering the Malach Centre for Visual History, located in the Computer Science building of
            University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, with no previous knowledge of what is actua
            within the archives; I adopted an open minded approach. When I first heard the facility de

            “archive” I believe it was fair for me to presume the Malach Centre was a library of some 
            I was wrong.

            The sheer exclusivity of these archives (Charles University is one of only 17 European sit
            full local access to the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation -  Visual Hist
            immediately invites visitors to appreciate their sheer importance. The archives hold an ex

            large database compiled of various interviews, thanks to the help and cooperation of Refug
            association of Jewish refugees).
            Together with various other facilities scattered across Europe, the Malach Centre in Pragu

            approximately 53,000 videotaped interviews with survivors of various mass genocides and ot
            (with the Holocaust providing the background for a substantial portion of the interviews).
            dissection of the statistics, we learn that the centre contains over 112,000 hours’ worth 

            The videos, spanning across 63 countries, are available in a wide range of languages (fort
            as an English speaker, the majority are available in my preferred language).  
            The archives have existed for a considerably long time. To assume that it took time and a 

            amount of effort to collect the video interviews would certainly be correct. Between 1994 
            testimonies and interviews of Holocaust survivors were compiled, intended to be placed wit
            archives. From 1999 to 2005 these testimonies were indexed and catalogued in order to make

            accessible to students, teachers and scholars. Finally, between 2008 and 2012 the video ta
            digitised. Since 2006, the archives have been available to use for educational purposes, m
            proving to be an invaluable resource.

            For users that are unfamiliar with how the archive system works, the website can undoubted
            overwhelming at first. With 53,000 videos to browse through, it may appear challenging to 
            with content specific to your personal research. However, this is not the case at all. It 

            moments for one to familiarise oneself with the website, and before long it becomes except
            navigate through the pages. This is greatly aided by the websites search engine, allowing 
            by keyword the names of areas mentioned in the interviews, for example, allowing for impro

            findings.
            What I personally found most interesting about the interviews was that each video is accom
            interviewee’s personal profile, providing that little bit of extra information.

            I enetered the Malach archives with little in-depth knowledge of the personal experiences 
            in iconic world events from previous years. After my short experience with the database ex
            however, I can confidently say that these interviews are of immense importance. They are a

            simply cannot be replaced. A visit to the centre is highly recommended to anyone studying 
            political science, 20th century history or any related field of study.                    
            Ashley Crowson is a student currently studying film studies and journalism at De Montfort