Educational dark tourism at an in populo site: The Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem

Based on a study at Yad Vashem, the Shoah (Holocaust) memorial museum in Jerusalem, a new term—in populo—is proposed to describe dark tourism sites at a population and spiritual center of the people to whom a tragedy befell. Learning about the Shoah in Jerusalem offers a different but equally authentic encounter with the subject as visits to sites in Europe. It is argued that a dichotomy between ‘authentic’ sites at the location of a tragedy and ‘created’ sites elsewhere is insufficient. Participants’ evaluations of seminars for European teachers at Yad Vashem indicate that the location is an important aspect of a meaningful encounter with the subject. Implications for other cases of dark tourism at in populo locations are discussed.

Research highlights► In populo sites embody and transmit the story of a victimized population. ► European tourists saw Yad Vashem in Israel as an authentic Holocaust study site. ► Interaction with Israeli society was a core element of the experience. ► Tourists reported increased knowledge and emotional understanding of the issue. ► The location in Israel offered a unique perspective on the Holocaust.