Western's Sebastian Mendes to Speak at Los Angeles Holocaust Museum Jan. 23

Western Washington University Professor of Art Sebastian Mendes has been invited to speak at an event honoring his grandfather, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, at the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum (LAMOTH) on Saturday, Jan. 23.

LAMOTH is hosting an exhibition about Mendes’ grandfather and his act of ethical disobedience in 1940, which led to saving an estimated 30,000 lives. Scholars of the Holocaust recognize his heroic actions as the largest single act of the period. Mendes will be speaking at the opening of the exhibition, which will include several artifacts from Mendes’ personal collection.

The weekend’s events will include the world premiere of an oratorio dedicated to his grandfather, Circular 14, Apotheosis of Aristides, by internationally distinguished composer Neely Bruce, who achieved fame for his collaborations with John Cage. Several music luminaries will perform the work, which will be narrated by Michel Gill of House of Cards.

There will also be screenings of two feature films about Sousa Mendes.

For more information contact Chris Casquilho, Western Washington University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts manager of Marketing and Special Events, at chris.casquilho@wwu.edu or (360) 650-2829.