The Daffodil Project: A Living Memorial and a Commitment to the Future
The Daffodil Project is a global initiative created by the nonprofit organization Am Yisrael Chai, dedicated to Holocaust education and genocide awareness. This project aspires to create a Living Holocaust Memorial by planting 1.5 million daffodils worldwide, symbolizing the 1.5 million children who perished during the Holocaust.
Daffodils were chosen as a symbol for their shape and color, reminiscent of the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear. They also represent resilience, hope, and renewal, returning each spring with a vibrant burst of life and color. Every flower planted carries a message of remembrance and a commitment to a future where compassion and justice prevail.
Since its inception, the Daffodil Project has inspired communities around the world to unite in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and raising awareness about current humanitarian crises, particularly the plight of vulnerable children.
The Daffodil Project in Portugal
For the first time, the Daffodil Project will be brought to Portugal in collaboration with the Jewish Cultural Center of Rua da Judiaria. This symbolic act will take place at the historic Largo de São Domingos, a site deeply connected to tolerance and remembrance in Lisbon.
The flowers will be planted around the olive tree in the square, a space already home to monuments commemorating the Catholic Church’s apology for the persecution of Jews and the tragic 1506 massacre. This site, known as the “place of tolerance,” is also near the Rossio Train Station, where dozens of the 295 Jewish children rescued through the Kindertransport arrived during World War II.
In addition to planting the daffodils, an informational plaque will be installed to provide context for this act of remembrance and hope. This gesture reinforces Portugal’s commitment to preserving historical memory and promoting a more tolerant and humane world.
May these flowers inspire us to never forget the tragedies of the past but also to act in the present to create a future where all children can grow up in safety, dignity, and freedom.