  We present images and long-slit spectra obtained with FORS1 at UT1 of the VLT
centered on the gravitational arc of the galaxy cluster 1E0657-56 (z = 0.296).
The cluster is one of the hottest, most massive clusters known so far and acts
as a powerful gravitational telescope, amplifying the flux of background
sources by up to a factor of 17.
  We present photometric results together with the spectra of the gravitational
arc (z = 3.24) and four additional amplified high redshift objects (z = 2.34 to
3.08) that were also included in the slit by chance coincidence. A
magnification map has been obtained from a lens model derived from the multiple
image systems. We compare our observed spectra with models and briefly discuss
the stellar contents of these galaxies.
  Furthermore we measured the equivalent widths of the CIV 1550 and SiIV 1400
absorption lines for the objects behind 1E0657-56 studied here, as well as for
some additional starburst galaxies (nearby and at high z). For CIV we find an
increasing absorption equivalent width with decreasing redshift. We discuss
whether this correlation could be related to the increase of metallicity with
the age of the universe.
