Event

Every name matters

Overview

More information

Speak the name of someone who was deported during the Second World War.

These are five names that were taken away at Kazerne Dossin. Five of the 25,843 people reduced to numbers by the Nazis. Numbers on a transport list destined for concentration camps and extermination centres. And they all have their own individual story. Which story will you be connected with?

Discover it here

What is the goal?

With the project Every name matters Kazerne Dossin wants to remember the people that were deported from the Dossinkazerne. Each name will be read by a unique visitor. After completion all recordings will be played in the Memorial. By reading the names out loud the participants will create an auditory monument 25,843 times over for all those who were deported. In the place where their names were taken from them, we want to give them back, together with you.

How does it work?

Register via the ‘Every Name Matters’ planner and enter your details. After registration you will be connected to a name. A connection is automatically made (where possible) based on birthday, name or age.
Our booths are located in the museum Kazerne Dossin and are open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the summer months, you can participate on Thursday and Friday morning. On Saturday and Sunday our recording booths are open all day.
The recording will only take a couple of minutes.
You will have the opportunity to visit the permanent exhibition free of charge after your admission. A visit takes approximately two hours.
Discover more details about your participation.
Read the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.

Will you be coming with a group or a you a relative of a deportee? Contact everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu to register.

Since the start of the project, we have already welcomed a large number of participants.

1
6
745

The project ends when 25,843 names have been recorded. Join us and read a name, too! Because every name matters.

Age 9 and up
1 to 6 participants
Dutch, French, English
Kazerne Dossin
15 min. p.p.
Free
Our booths are located in the museum Kazerne Dossin and are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00.

Would you like to stay informed or do you have a question: contact: everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu.

Participate here! I have a question Coming with more than 6 people? Find out how to register with a group here.

Partners

How to participate?

From your registration to the recording of a name: find a handy step-by-step overview here!

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Relatives of deportees

Relatives of deportees can read out several names as a group or individually. They can contact Kazerne Dossin for this purpose, mentioning the names of their deported relatives. Together, we will look for a suitable time.

Contact

Tips for recording a name

Not sure of the pronunciation of the name you were assigned? Kazerne Dossin is happy to help. Listen to some names on the ‘sound list’.

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Combine your appointment with a free visit

Your appointment to record a name is also an ideal opportunity to visit Kazerne Dossin. Follow the free special trail through the permanent exhibition and learn more about Esther Blau, her family, and the other deportees.

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Coming with more than 12 people?

Coming to Kazerne Dossin to read a name together is a special experience to share. Discover the possibilities here. This group offer is available from January 2024.

Discover our offer for teambuildings.

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Donate to ‘Every name matters’

‘Every name matters’ commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. Make a donation and contribute to the renewal of the Portrait wall.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the name that I will be recording myself?

Where possible, a link is automatically established in the registration tool, based on your date of birth or age. Family members and loved ones of deportees can request specific names at everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu.

Can I only record one name?

The power of this commemorative project lies in the connection between people now and people then. This is enhanced by giving as many participants as possible a chance to record a name, which is why the idea is to have each person record the name of one deportee.

An exception is made for family members and relatives of deportees. They can read several names in group or individually.

Concern Over Gender: Women Recording a Man’s Name and Vice Versa.

In this commemorative project we cannot make a link based on gender. The link is
made automatically by software based on several possible matches such as date of
birth, age and name.

Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your appointment by clicking the link in your confirmation e-mail.

Can I register a participant who does not have an e-mail address?

Yes, as long as one of the participants has an e-mail address, you can register them.

I don't have an e-mail address. How can I participate?

You can have someone with an e-mail address or a Kazerne Dossin staff member complete your registration for you. Contact: everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu.

I am late for my appointment, what should I do?

You can reschedule your appointment by clicking the link in your confirmation e-mail.

Where can I find out more about the person whose name I will be recording?

Click on the link in your confirmation e-mail. This will take you to the Memorial website and the page of the person whose name you have come to record. In most cases, this includes a photo of the person and relevant information (country of origin, date of death, occupation…).

You can combine your appointment with an individual tour of the permanent exhibition. The paper visitor’s guide is your companion, focussing on specific exhibits. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free. Do you want to keep the visitor’s guide? Buy your own copy for 5 euros.

You can also submit a question to the research team of Kazerne Dossin. Fill out the application form to submit your question. Depending on the nature of your question, you will either receive an answer by mail or be invited to visit the archive.

I am struggling with the pronunciation of the name assigned to me.

On this page you can listen to a series of names. This will definitely help. Someone is also on hand to provide support when you come to record your name.

Can I bring someone with me?

You can bring a group of people, and each of you can record a different name. You can register up to 6 people online.

If there are more than 6 of you, please contact everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu.

Do you need personal assistance? Less mobile visitors and visitors with visual or hearing impairments are welcome to bring a companion. Our staff is also always on hand to provide assistance during your visit.

I use a wheelchair. Can I also record a name?

Yes, our recording studio can accommodate wheelchair users.

I lost the e-mail with the name of the deportee that was assigned to me. What should I do?

Contact everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu or call +32 (0)15 29 06 60. A staff member will provide you with the name and necessary information.

Do you accept gift aid?

Yes, you can make a donation to the project through the King Baudouin Foundation’s platform. You receive a tax certificate for gifts of 40 euros and over. Donations go towards the renewal of the Portrait wall at Kazerne Dossin, which features all the photos of deportees that were found to date. This is a serene place of remembrance in the centre of the museum.

Is this project suitable for children?

Children as young as 9 years old are welcome to participate.

I would like to inform my friends and acquaintances about ‘Every name matters’. How can I do this?

You can share your experience on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Linkedin with #Everynamematters. Or click on the link in your confirmation e-mail. This will take you to the Memorial website and the page of the person whose name you have come to record. You can share this page on Facebook and LinkedIn, along with a personal message.

I would like to schedule a time with my team to record names. Is this possible?

Yes, please contact everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu. You can find more information about visiting us with a company or organisation here. The team at Kazerne Dossin will discuss what would be the best option for your group with you.

How far ahead can I schedule an appointment to record a name?

We release four-month blocks of appointments. Is the four-month block fully booked? Send an e-mail to everynamematters@kazernedossin.eu and we will keep you informed when we release a new four-month block of appointments.

Can I also submit a recording?

Yes, you can. Please send an email to elkenaamtelt@kazernedossin.eu and a staff member will then send you an email with the name and age of one of the deportees.

Keep the following in mind for your recording:

Tips on pronunciation can be found here.

Use a recording app on your phone (e.g., Easy Voice Recorder and RecForge II for Android and Voice recorder – Voz for Apple. Please refrain from using WhatsApp or any other application that is not specifically intended for audio recordings).

enable Mono audio
select WAV quality Superior

Make your recording in a muted, quiet space: a quiet bedroom, a place with lots of wood or textile to absorb sound. The less echoes, the better! Do not make your recording in a bathroom.

Record the name several times consecutively, holding your phone at different distances from your mouth: at 10 cm, at 30 cm, and at arm’s length. Record the first name, followed by the surname, and finally the person’s age. For example: “Elise La Rivière, 25 years”

Send the complete file to elkenaamtelt@kazernedossin.eu. The best version will be selected.

A bad recording cannot be included in the final project. In that case, we will contact you.