Introduction
Gyula Frenkel was imprisoned in the Vapniarca concentration camp in Transnistria from 1942 until 1943. Whilst in the camp he made a belt from copper and aluminium. Each link depicts the conditions of the camp and tells of his experiences and those of other prisoners. In this lesson, as students encounter the object, they examine each link, make meaning, and construct a narrative. As they consider an explanation of the links and discover how Frenkel originally sequenced them, students attempt to synthesise different narratives and reflect on the nature of recounting the past.
This exploration of the nature of narrative, how it is constructed, and the ethical responsibility for recounting the past as experienced by others, can lead to rich discussion in the classroom. In addition, students are asked to consider the value of the belt as visual evidence of the historical events and finally, its role in memorialisation.