Photo exhibition - BESA: A Code of Honor

The exhibition BESA: A Code of Honor opens on September 29, 2026, at OBA De Hallen. The exhibition features photographs by American photographer Norman Gershman, who portrayed Albanian Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust.

During the German occupation of Albania in World War II, almost all Jews within the country's borders were saved: both Albanian Jews and refugees from other European countries. Many Albanian families provided Jews with shelter in their homes or helped them obtain false documents. They refused to comply with Nazi orders to hand them over.

This remarkable solidarity was rooted in Besa, a traditional Albanian code of honor that means "to keep a promise." According to this principle, protecting a guest or someone in danger is a sacred duty. For many Albanians, helping Jews was therefore not only an act of courage but also a matter of honor.

Through portraits and personal stories, the exhibition highlights this extraordinary history of moral courage and interfaith solidarity. It also invites reflection on the importance of tolerance, responsibility, and protecting one another in today's world.

During the opening evening, there will be a short discussion on solidarity, interfaith dialogue, and the relevance of these stories for our time. Additionally, a short duet will be performed, choreographed by Feri de Geus and performed by Fjolla Ibraimi, an Italian contemporary dancer with Albanian roots, and Liah Frank, an Amsterdam-based dancer with a Jewish background.

A short documentary about the creation of the BESA: A Code of Honor exhibition will also be screened during the opening.

7:15 PM: Doors open and welcome

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Official program

From 8:30 PM: Exhibition viewing, conversation, and refreshments

Around 9:30 PM: Conclusion

Free admission, register here: https://forms.gle/821Zp3g1iQ5itbaN6

Organized by: KunstenDialoog

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