The Hornnemann Huis in Eindhoven now receives a substantial subsidy from the municipality every year. The memorial museum, which tells the moving story of the Jewish brothers Edo (12) and Lexje (8) Hornemann who were murdered during the Second World War, receives 250,000 euros per school year for three years.
“This is good news for us, Eindhoven and Brabant,” responds Martijn Docters, the Museum and second cousin of Edo and Lexje. Thanks to the subsidy, the Hornemann Huis can take new steps. “We can now continue to professionalize.”
So far, the museum is running entirely on volunteers, but that will change. “We are going to hire people,” says Docters. Three to five volunteers will be hired. “They are going to cancel their current job. They are eager.” In the meantime, the museum is looking for extra volunteers to strengthen the team.
Open more often
Thanks to the financial support, the museum can also open more often. From the second weekend of January the Hornemann Huis is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The museum is open for school classes on Monday and Tuesday. “We are going to write an educational program.” At the moment, the museum receives around five thousand students or students every year. Docters wants that number to be doubled.
In addition to the fixed educational offer, there is also room for exchange exhibitions. The first of these opens on November 2 and is about the persecution of the Sinti and Roma. This exhibition can still be seen in the Vrijheidsmuseum in Groesbeek. “I am proud of that,” says Docters. “We try to enter into a collaboration with everyone.”
Create awareness
The Hornnemann Huis is developing rapidly. The foundation has only been around for four years, but is already taking big steps. “It’s going well and above expectations,” says Docters.
With the expansion of other exhibitions, the museum is no longer only about the story of Edo and Lexje. It is also about Jews, Sinti and other population groups. “We must create awareness that freedom is not self -evident. Because things are not going so well in the world.”
He also refers to the polarization that seems to increase in society. “It happens close to home, in the classroom, on the football field and in the city,” he continues. “With the museum we try to contribute to a better society. And it starts with yourself.”
Who were Edo and Lexje?
Edo (12) and Lexje (8) Hornemann were Jewish brothers from Eindhoven who were arrested during the Second World War. Via Camp Vught and Westerbork they finally ended up in Auschwitz and later in Camp Neengamme. There they were abused for medical experiments for five months, giving them tuberculosis without anesthesia. Shortly before the end of the war, Edo and Lexje were hung and their bodies were burned.
