How it works

The Crocus Project is an Irish initiative that is now active across Europe, with almost 200,000 young people from Ireland and 11 European countries taking part. Our goal is to reach more than 1.5 million crocuses in bloom.

Holocaust Education Ireland supplies yellow crocus bulbs for young people aged ten years and over to plant in memory of the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust and the thousands of other children who were victims of Nazi atrocities. The yellow flowers recall the stars that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule. Crocuses bloom around the end of January at the same time as International Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Crocus Project is a tangible and age-appropriate way to introduce students to the Holocaust. When people admire the flowers, the pupils explain what they represent and recall the children who perished in the Holocaust.

This project is supported by the Department of Education and is co-funded by the European Union.