Memory and Commemoration in the Era of Web 2.0 Auschwitz/Buchenwald 2011

O Ś WIĘ CIM ISSN 1899-4407 PEOPLE

CULTURE HISTORY

MEMORY AND COMMEMORATION IN THE ERA OF WEB 2.0 AUSCHWITZ/BUCHENWALD 2011

no. 28 April 2011 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 28, April 2011

EDITORIAL BOARD: Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine EDITORIAL

This month, once again, we handed The International Youth Meeting streets did the Jewish inhabitants of over the pages of this monthly to the Center, as every year, presented the Oświęcim walk? These and many young participants of the internation- awards to its Good Spirits. This year’s other questions are answered in the al project Memory and Commemoration ceremony took place under the sym- newest project carried out by the Jew- in the Era of Web 2.0. In the Febru- bol of the seashell. In the Center, full ish Center in Oświęcim—Oshpitzin. ary issue we published articles that of the ocean-themed scenery, consist- This is already the 36th edition of Oś Editor: came to be during workshops held in ing of the various intricately shaped in Polish, which means it is our third Paweł Sawicki Oświęcim. The second part of the pro- and colored calcium carbonate won- birthday. We would like to thank you Editorial secretary: ject was held in March at the former ders of nature, the donors and friends very much for being with us. Agnieszka Juskowiak-Sawicka Buchenwald Concentration Camp of the IYMC came together. As to who Editorial board: in Germany. The group effort, in the received an award, you learn from the Bartosz Bartyzel form of an article, written under the extensive report about the ceremony. Paweł Sawicki Wiktor Boberek supervision of the chief editor of Oś, Before the War, where did the Chief Editor-in-chief Jarek Mensfelt can be found on the following pages. Rabbi of Oświęcim live? Down which [email protected] Olga Onyszkiewicz Jadwiga Pinderska-Lech Artur Szyndler Columnist: Mirosław Ganobis Design and layout: A GALLERY OF IMPRESSION Agnieszka Matuła, Grafi kon Translations: David R. Kennedy THE 20TH CENTURY The aroma of the hours, in the mirror of spring Proofreading: The post-winter earth is selfi sh. Beata Kłos aster in the spring. This year, it is especially Cover: The day grows in intensity, a touch of light Paweł Sawicki a late spring event. Lent. Holy Week. Tomb of The greenery has awoken in the fi elds. Miejsce Pamięci Buchenwald the Lord. The Liturgy—fi rst the sad and mourn- Photographer: E The trees and maidens sparkle, ful, then the Resurrection, and the joyful procession. Paweł Sawicki In our city, in the old parish, an evening procession, Among the rapidly feathering birds, at the Salesian Church—and then an Easter Sunday And the wind —Shepard of the grassland in the sky morning. PUBLISHER: Herds the clouds into enclosures of rain. Easter… The joy of the victory of better” than the winter-cold of Auschwitz-Birkenau faith and springtime. A time of Christmas! And the holidays are coming, a Lenten mood, State Museum hope for the greenery and fl owers. In the part of the article, a poem With nostalgia eating the biting horseradish, www.auschwitz.org.pl Two in one: a religious theme and with springtime and Easter that of the spring climate. And in themes. And jumping onto the outdoor table all this, for me, a warm and ten- A bright sugary Holiday hare! der Easter is “more important and Andrzej Winogrodzki PARTNERS:

Jewish Center www.ajcf.pl

Center for Dialogue and Prayer Foundation www.centrum-dialogu.oswiecim.pl

International Youth Meeting Center www.mdsm.pl

IN COOPERATION WITH:

Kasztelania www.kasztelania.pl

State Higher Vocational Schoolol in Oświęcim www.pwsz-oswiecim.pl

Editorial address: „Oś – Oświęcim, Ludzie, Historia, Kultura” Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 20 32-603 Oświęcim Photo: kasztelania.pl e-mail: [email protected] The Salesian Church in 1914. Photo from Mirosław Ganobis’s collection

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 28, April 2011 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE MUSEUM IN THIS TERM

he last meeting of the Council of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in its four-year term of ofﬁ ce was held. Council members unanimously approved a report on the activities of the Museum in 2010 and plans Tfor next year. One of the main subjects of He talked about the biggest restoration work and activi- the meeting was the budget- current projects and plans ties related to the creation MEMBERS ary situation of the Memo- for the current year. Among of the Auschwitz-Birkenau rial, deteriorating year by the topics discussed were a Foundation Perpetual Fund, OF THE MUSEUM COUNCIL year. At the beginning of steady increase in the num- intended to fund them long the meeting the director of ber of visitors to the Memo- term. Kazimierz Albin the Museum, Dr. Piotr M. rial and the related project to The next item on the agenda Alicja Bartuś A. Cywiński, familiarized create a new Visitors Service was a speech by Krystyna Andrzej Bibrzycki the Council with the work Center. Another important Oleksy, director of the Inter- Prof. Tomasz Gąsowski of the institution last year. area of discussion was the national Center for Educa- Prof. Jan Kantyka Prof. Edward Kosakowski Prof. Stanisław Krajewski Piotr Kućka Jerzy Wróblewski, Chairman

tion about Auschwitz and but still is not quite certain the Holocaust, who spoke whether this strategic in- about the projects carried vestment will be included in out by the ICEAH. Council the OSGP. members raised concerns The Museum Council is a about the real threat to the consultative body appoint- development of the Center ed by the Minister of Cul- for Education due to lack ture and National Heritage of funds for the adaptation under the Law on museums. of the so-called Old Theater It exercises supervision over building for the future head- the statutory activities of quarters of the ICEAH. The institutions and gives its Museum tries to raise the opinion on future plans of money needed in the fourth action.

Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel stage of the Oświęcim Stra- The Museum Council meeting tegic Government Program, 2bart A GIFT FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO THE MUSEUM he Auschwitz Memorial has received a Caravelle T5 car from Volkswagen. This valuable support for the work of the Museum was made possible thanks to the help of the International Auschwitz Committee and the personal Tinvolvement of its deputy chairman, Christoph Heubner. It is also a continuation of many years of cooperation with Volkswagen AG. “We would like to pass on all know, is really very seri- memory of the victims, and in thing back with them. Later this, our project would not be the keys to the car,” Chris- ous help,” noted Cywiński. part for future generations.” they come back, and bring what it is today. Therefore, all toph Heubner said during the Emphasizing the uniqueness “Our twenty years of coop- their family and friends. the more I am glad that today ceremony of turning over the of over twenty years of col- eration means a lot for Volk- Youth work is a symbol, but we can give this car to the car. “Here it will be able to be laboration between the Me- swagen,” said the representa- also practical help. We also Museum,” emphasized Ines used to care for former pris- morial and the Volkswagen tive of the VW company, Ines thank you heartily for your Doberanzke. oners and the needs of the In- company, including inter alia Doberanzke. “Young people cooperation and for what the ternational Center for Educa- visits of youth groups that who come here, take some- Museum does for us. Without 2bart tion about Auschwitz and the help with maintaining the Holocaust,” added Heubner. Memorial and at the same “I would like to thank you time learn about its history. for this gesture,” said Piotr Director Cywiński, address- M. A. Cywiński, director ing high school students of of the Auschwitz Museum. the VW school, insisted: “For “Of course the needs are us, your help is support for enormous and this support different sections of our hard is of the essence. You have work. I also believe that a to remember that we are an deeper knowledge of this institution, away from big place will help you to set- university centers, away tle different things in your from the airport. Arrivals of minds. It is really good that former prisoners, various VW has made this its policy, experts and invited guests its clear will. Thank you for require logistical assistance. your presence and for your As this Place is growing and willingness to help. Each lit- its importance in the world tle bit of help contributes to increases, this support, in securing the future of this Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel the budgetary situation we Place. We do this in part in Students of the VW School at the Memorial Site

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THE FIRST TRANSPORT OF POLISH WOMEN

n the morning of April 27, 1942, the Germans brought to Auschwitz the ﬁ rst transport of Polish women from Montelupi Prison in Kraków. Most of the women from this transport were earlier arrested in Kraków for un- O derground activities. A few hours later to Auschwitz, another transport of Polish women from Tarnów arrived. Previously, on March 19, 1942, a transport of 144 women was brought to Auschwitz from the prison in Mysłowice. According to accounts by former prisoners Władyslaw Siwek and Wiesław Kielar, all were shot at the Death Wall. Below we publish a selection of prisoner testimonies from those brought in the ﬁ rst transport from Kraków.

kammer, where I worked in sorting and disinfect- TERESA WICIŃSKA ing clothing that remained after the transports were camp number 6817 gassed.

Statements Fond, vol. 43, pp. 46-47 Shortly after arrival we had our belongings taken KRYSTYNA WITEK (NEE) away, our personal details were written down, we CYANKIEWICZ, camp number 6820 were put though the camp’s disinfection as well as bath, and we were assigned some camp clothes— striped uniforms and wooden clogs. Statements Fond, vol. 51, p. 3 Hygienic conditions at the time were horrifying. The insects proliferated to the unparalleled amounts, es- LUDWINA MAKUCH pecially the terrible plague of fl eas. Sleep was some- camp number 6828 thing impossible. When we stood at roll call, fl eas immediately jumped onto the body. In a short time, Statements Fond, vol. 83, pp. 138-139 so many of them glued themselves onto us, that our The baths took place in block 3 or 4. Today I do legs looked black from far away. ... Almost all Pol- not remember exactly. After that, we were issued ish women worked outside, most often employed in LUDWINA MAKUCH striped uniforms and wooden clogs, and were herd- heavy labor. We walked a distance of up to 9 km camp number 6828 ed to block number 8. I inhabited the ground fl oor. in the direction of the old riverbed of the Vistula. At that time, there already were the three-level We were employed in agricultural works, digging bunk beds. Initially, we slept one to a straw-fi lled drainage ditches, and the dismantling of the houses Statements Fond, vol. 83, pp. 138-139 of those who had been evicted. … they loaded about 70 women (I was among them) mattress, because there were still so few of us. ... into an enclosed vehicle and we were taken away. Al- Later, a transport arrived from Tarnów. The block most all of us were convinced that we were going to elder was a Polish woman from Silesia. Her name the concentration camp in Oświęcim [Auschwitz]. was Lidia. We had heard about this camp before. Some of the women in the transport were deluding themselves that TERESA WICIŃSKA we were not being taken to Auschwitz, because there camp number 6817 was no camp for women there. Most of us, however, viewed this with skepticism. Statements Fond, vol. 43, pp. 46-47 After all the initial steps, which I described above, were done, I was placed in block 8. We slept on three-level bunks and sanitary situation, in com- parison to that later experienced at Birkenau, was JANINA TOLLIK good. While imprisoned at the Main Camp, for a camp number 6804 short period of time I worked at Buna. Statements Fond, vol. 57, p. 66 LUDWINA MAKUCH In the beginning, they took us to carry out agricul- camp number 6828 tural and earth works to Babice, and later to Budy. For a relatively long time, I went to work in Pławy It turned out that our suspicions were unfortunately and Harmęże. Large fi shponds were found there. The accurate. We were driven out of the vehicle. We found Statements Fond, vol. 83, pp. 138-139 prisoners worked there pulling weeds, cleaning the ourselves inside the Auschwitz camp. ... That, what Upon arrival at the camp we were not put through ponds as well as its banks. This work was very heavy we saw, shook us to the core. One prisoner from our any kind of quarantine. Already on the second or and was carried out in the mud and water. transport, a Silesian woman named Julia Habryka said, third day, we were sent to work. Initially, we were “Girls, here we’re not even going to make it a day.” working at digging ditches outside the camp. From the camp to the place of labor it was about a 10 JÓZEFA KIWAŁA km march towards Brzeszcze. Later, we were put camp number 6792 to work cleaning the construction site of a factory, probably Buna. We had to cut bushes, pull weeds, and perform various other jobs. Statements Fond, vol. 14, p. 66 This was the fi rst transport of Polish political prisoners. SS-Aufseherin Drexler received the transport, TERESA WICIŃSKA and then the prisoners were escorted to block 2, where camp number 6817 they were robbed of their personal items, registered, and given numbers. ... In the evening another trans- Statements Fond, vol. 43, pp. 46-47 During the summer I was employed in haymaking port of Polish women from Tarnów arrived, from August 6, 1942, all women were transferred from on the banks of the old Vistula riverbed. On June which Stenia Starostka was selected to be the block the Main Camp to the women’s camp at Birkenau. I 24, 1942, as part of so-called collective responsibili- elder, and subsequently she became the Lagerälteste. remember that it was a sweltering day. We marched ty—that related to prisoner’s escape—I was put into on foot, in rows of fi ve. We were put into the brick the penal company (Strafkompanie – SK) which, barracks. I was assigned to a barrack standing near at that time, was in a school building in Budy. The the kitchen—I do not remember the number. We time I spent in the SK was very diffi cult for me. ... were horrifi ed by the conditions that we experi- This is where—in the penal company—that I began enced there. A shortage of water—one well for the sketching scenes of camp life. I created a series of whole camp; around the barracks, endless, slippery sketches and paintings of landscapes, which sur- mud; barracks overfi lled with female prisoners, the round the sad environs around Oświęcim. I wanted bunk-bed compartments fi lled with damp straw. ... to imprint these images in my memory. At Birkenau, I started working in the camp kitchen. After a month, I was transferred to the Effekten- ajs

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REMEMBRANCE AND THE MEDIA ow can today’s media help in maintaining the memory of the historical events of the Second World War? How can images, text, and sound be used to speak about places such as Auschwitz and Buchenwald? And, in what Hway can you use the accounts of eyewitness of those times today? These are just some of the Commemoration in the Era of Memorial Site, and later at with the text, audio, video, February issue we ﬁ rst pub- questions that young partici- Web 2.0 asked themselves. the former Buchenwald Con- and Internet. The groups’ lished the work done by the pants involved in the inter- The event took place this centration Camp. Participants work was led by Oś Editor in participants. Now it is time national project Memory and year, ﬁ rst at the Auschwitz worked in four teams dealing Chief, Paweł Sawicki. In the for further articles. SOMETHING MORE THAN REMEMBERANCE: ACTION!

hen I sent the fi rst application for the workshop held by the Association Maximilian Kolbe-Werk, I received a reply that, though there was not a thought at all about Macedonia, they were happy that I was interested Wand I might have the opportunity to go... and that is what happened. I was a participant in the project Memory and Commemoration in the Era of Web 2.0. Why was I able to do so, although my country was not even taken into consid- eration when creating the seminar? I was active... I was truly passionate! events do not occupy an ap- show the audience the places blog’s content to be available propriate place in the col- and people that had taken in different languages and we lective memory,” he added. part in the project.” are constantly working on the Paweł also spoke about the Without the groups working most effective resolution. A fact that a journalist should on the text, audio, and video, professional website is a very understand how individuals the project would not have expensive answer to this, we as well as European politics been complete; because this are looking for good alterna- cope with the subject of the is also about Web 2.0 as well tives,” said Sebastian. Holocaust. as social media. The group It must be remembered that We also talked about the dif- dealing with the Internet, led all the teams worked on the fi culties. For the young leader by Sebastian Schroeder-Esch, various topics related to the of the video group, Adam Sy- had an extremely challenging Holocaust, together with sur- monowicz, the problem was job. Its members had to col- vivors, and in order to create the language barrier. “I had lect the resulting work of the something that is lasting for some problems interacting three teams, and show this in future generations. As Paweł with some members of the an attractive way to the wide Sawicki has said, “Everyone group, because English is not audience on the world wide has personally proven that my strong point,” he said. But web. “This is an integral part they can add their little piece at the very end all spoke one of the whole project,” said Se- to the puzzle.” language, the language of cre- bastian. “The most interesting Most important is the fact that ativity. You can check it out part is that the entire platform we had the chance to talk and and enjoy the great results of is free. How is that possible? listen to stories of survivors. work of the group that creat- Well, the answer is simple— Thanks to that, we have wit- Sawicki ł ed the excellent fi lms. Which the blogosphere! Blogging nessed their history. We re- video was the most important allows all participants to member and commemorate, for the group? Adam replied publish their work. Everyone but the most important thing in the following manner: can watch, read, and listen to is that in addition to this re- Photo: Pawe “The text preparation and au- them as well as make com- membrance, we have chosen Also passionate were the to the puzzle for some greater dio groups are, of course, no ments, of course. A true Web to be active. four leaders of the workshop, good—their experience, their less important than we are. 2.0 project!,” he added. dealing with: the text, audio, point of view, their personal What made us different was This method also involves video and Internet—they perspective.” the fact that we could actually challenges. “We want the Mustafa Yakupov gave their time to work with Indeed, each of the partici- a group of “amateurs” in this pants had a chance to realize extraordinary project. their ideas, but also to learn Leading the text prepara- about and share their insights tion group was Paweł Sa- with the witnesses. Each per- wicki, whom I asked what son had a slightly different he thought of those under motivation in doing this pro- his care. Answering my “sil- ject. And what were the mo- ly” question, he replied: “If tivations of leaders: is it the we take into account that all work, or rather the pleasure? participants are, fi rst of all, “On one hand this was a pro- beginners as well as quite fessional undertaking. I am a busy in their daily lives, it is a journalist, and I teach media major achievement that they and at the same time I was have come to the seminar. able to run this kind of work- They decided to spend a few shop. But the subject matter days to visit Auschwitz and of this meeting is also a very Buchenwald, to spend time important reason for my par- with survivors, to work on ticipation in this project,” said the project. This is already a the head of the audio group, success, and everything that Paweł Kamiński. “I am inter-

is created during the project, ested in history in general, Sawicki is a kind of added value.” At but I am also interested in ł the end he added: “Everyone the history of the Holocaust, has personally proven that and I feel that this topic is not they can add their little piece discussed enough and these Photo: Pawe

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THE WAR THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD AND AN ADULT

e, the young participants in the project run by the Association Maximilian Kolbe-Werk, heard many stories told by witnesses of history. Sharing their stories were, among others, two survivors: Isaac Segalis Wand Vasily Volodko. Mr. Segalis ended up in a ghetto as a child. Vasily Volodko was deported to a concentration camp as an adult. Two different fates, two different views of Nazi terror. How is a concentration camp remembered through the eyes of a child and how is it remembered through the eyes of an adult?

childhood spent with their there are deep, hidden emo- family, without hunger and tions hidden.” fear. Hunger, the omnipresence of The story of Vasily Volodko death, survival in inhuman was completely different. conditions, and the constant He was arrested in 1943 fear of death are terrible when he was 19 years old. things. Terrifying for those His story was more concise, of all ages. A child’s psyche constructive, based on his- is not able to survive this un- torical facts and dates, but, scathed. We know the stories of course, his emotions were of the child survivors of the also present there. His most camps who played at doing terrible experience was be- “selections” and “pogroms,” ing held in a Gestapo prison. rather than normal games. The Germans treated him Only in adulthood did they very brutally, which had recognize the horror of those affected his health. Para- events. Isaac Segalis was doxically, it was thanks to lucky because he remained this that it was a bit easier with his family. Despite the to survive the Dachau Con- hopelessness of the situation, centration Camp, where he had his family with him. Sawicki ł he was sent to the hospital When Vasily Volodko was and avoided the exhausting sent to the camp, he did not slave labor. Mr. Volodko have anyone with whom he talked about the every day could share the darkest mo- Photo: Pawe function of the Gestapo ments of his life. The fact The story of Isaac Segalis, it not been returned, we about death very early on; prison: “Every morning, that he had such great cour- who was three years old wouldn’t have been able to something that he actually the Germans ordered us, age and did not break down when he was taken to the get out of there, because no saw on a daily basis. “I re- the weak and starved to do in the terrible conditions ghetto of Kaunas, was full of one would have moved the alized that the worst thing jumping until we lost our of the Gestapo prison and personal emotions, fragmen- stove. I do not know how or you could do to me was to energy. They tied the bags of later at Dachau is unusual. tary memories, and colorful why, but he was allowed to kill me. I did everything to bricks to the backs of some Child and adult, Isaac Sega- scenes which remained in return home. Thanks to that stay alive,” he said. The ex- prisoners and forced them to lis and Vasily Volodko, de- his memory. His fi rst mem- we managed to survive,” he traordinary story of a child exercise.” spite their differences, share ory was the inhumane divi- said. who survived Nazi brutality The 86-year-old Vasily can a burden—the burden of a sion of all prisoners into two As a small child in the world symbolizes the fate of thou- talk about his experiences tormented, but unbroken groups. Some were sent to a of the concentration camp, sands of children who were with a touch of bitter humor, human being. brutal death in the gas cham- Mr. Segalis began thinking deprived of a normal, happy but somewhere behind it, Juliana Ryazantseva bers, however, others were allowed to live, or rather ex- ist, within the ghetto. “My entire family ended up behind the walls: my mother, father, sister, grandparents, and I,” Mr. Segalis said. “A long queue formed at the gate. Before us, stood a person in a uniform, who loud- ly screamed ‘Left! Right!’ in German. My mother, father, sister, and I ended up on the right side. My grandparents on the left side, in other words, sent to die. I did not understand that I would not see them ever again.” Another clear memory he possessed was that of hiding under the fl oor, located in the house where Isaac and his mother were hiding from being deported to a labor camp, where people were chosen to be killed. “To make the hide-out harder to fi nd, my father covered the

entrance with a heavy oven. Sawicki One day, as my sister, moth- ł er, and I remained in hiding, the Germans ordered my father to leave the house. Had Photo: Pawe

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THE WORLD VISITS AUSCHWITZ DURING THE WORLD CAFÉ

ovely tables, lively discussions, and menus placed on the tablecloths: a pleasant, normal coffee shop. How- ever, upon closer scrutiny this is something completely different; conversations in English, Polish, Russian, Land German resound throughout the room, the tablecloths are made of paper, and on the menus, instead of the dishes offered, there are questions: What impact does the memory of the Second World War have on the creation and development of a national identity? Is it possible to create a common international culture of memory? Instead of coffee there is a serious discussion. During the international ing of reﬂ ections someone the past allows us to build meeting in Oświęcim, par- wrote: “To have an identity, the present and the future. ticipants took part in work- you have to have a history. We can create a national shops devoted to the culture To make history, an identity identity, when we recall the of memory within their own is needed.” past events” is the common countries. The World Café The Israeli guests said that conclusion. brought together a variety the memory of the Holo- That evening an interesting of perspectives and posed caust has had a profound question was asked, as to many questions. Small, impact on the identity of the way topics such as: the mixed groups of people the Israelis. Many people Second World War, Nation- from different countries and have known survivors and al Socialist ideology and the of different ages sought the every year a national day of Holocaust are taught during answers. remembrance takes place, history lessons in schools. The main problem discussed which touches everyone. There were various answers during the meeting was how The Russian participants to this question. For exam- the mass media and socie- observed that the military ple, in Israel, all three themes ties deal with the culture of victory of the Second World are interconnected and it is Sawicki memory. “After the end of War was of greatest pride important to possess good ł World War II German iden- in the former Soviet Union; knowledge of these issues. tity had collapsed and, in however, it is also important Everyone must learn about

reality, the situation never to note that, in Russia and in this, and after a few weeks Photo: Pawe truly returned to normal. other post-Soviet countries, they must take an exam. The Showing any trace of pat- historians are beginning to Government supports the this period. But some want International dialogue and riotism was accompanied address the subject of the commemoration of the Hol- to know more. You can meet interviews with surviving by a feeling of deep shame. Holocaust, because not all ocaust, even if it is through many Germans, who take witnesses should be docu- German fl ags and the Ger- the facts are known yet. organizing a day of remem- part in various volunteer mented and presented even man national anthem, ap- In contemporary Poland, the brance. In Polish education programs in Poland and vis- on the Internet. Also impor- peared for the fi rst time only culture of memory is a pop- there is more information on it the places connected with tant are education, intergen- in 2006 when Germany held ular phenomenon—much is the effects of, rather than the the history of the Holocaust. erational communication, the world football cham- said about it, but there are causes of the Second World The discussion on how to pluralism, and diversity. pionship,” said one of the also many opportunities to War. Not enough is said create and develop various And, as it turns out, every- German participants. On do something concrete, to about the Nazi era, although forms of memory and com- thing can start from an inter- the special card for the writ- not forget. “Knowledge of there are special educational memoration, which does national discussion, over a programs for teachers, while not serve political ends and cup of coffee. students visit the Memorial cannot be used for nation- Sites. The subject is breached alistic purposes, presented Anna Reinhardt not only during history les- very many possibilities. Katarzyna Gasińska sons, but also during art and literature classes. In Com- munist times there was a serious problem, because history was taught differently at home from that in schools. That has now changed. In Russia, the most important day is Victory Day on May 9. The National Social- ist ideology and the Holo- caust are presented from a political standpoint, and even now, these are diffi cult questions. The anniversary is commemorated annually, but it does not take place in schools, but in various youth organizations. Young people from Germa- ny were divided. For some, the lessons are interesting. Sawicki You can watch many mov- ł ies, listen to radio shows and, of course, read a large

amount of books devoted to Photo: Pawe

Sawicki The coordinator of the project Memory and Commemoration in ł the Era of Web 2.0 was the Association Maximilian Kolbe-Werk. The progress of the participants’ efforts can be followed on the website: Maximilian-Kolbe-werk.blogspot.com Photo: Pawe

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OUR CONSUL

n March 2007, the Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Thomas Gläser, had been awarded a statuette of the Good Spirit at the annual meeting of the Good Spirits, Friends and Benefactors of the Internation- Ial Youth Meeting Center in Oświęcim. The statuette was accompanied by a certifi cate, in which the jury justifi ed its choice, highlighting the remarkable ability of the Consul to combine the functions of a diplomat with sensitivity to the challenges posed by modern times, and the particular understanding of the issues of historical Auschwitz and the modern city of Oświęcim. In early March 2011, we received the sad news Dr. Thomas Gläser had died in Barcelona. A terrible message, unbelievable, that is so diffi cult to come to terms with. tion” defi nes a certain pro- ated with this unique place’s his reception of the Medal of after visiting the Auschwitz- cess, the work of the former history in Poland and Ger- the City of Oświęcim. -Birkenau State Museum, Consul General of Germany many would become a prior- Thomas Gläser was closely also had the opportunity in Cracow was the process’ ity for the Consul. connected to the Meeting to get acquainted with the practical realization. It is impossible to calculate or Center from the beginning. activities of the IYMC. He He was a remarkable person, overestimate the initiatives He participated in countless supported the active role of combining the seriousness taken up by Thomas Gläser events carried out by IYMC Volkswagen AG with re- and authority of the offi ce for the city of Oświęcim as (lectures, exhibitions, and spect in fostering a culture he held with an exceptional well as the International concerts); a deep relationship of remembrance, frequently openness towards others and Youth Meeting Center. The that linked him with former meeting with the youth in- a kindness that gained him close cooperation with the inmates of Auschwitz-Birk- volved in study programs at allies and friends. Few peo- State Higher Vocational enau, the eyewitnesses, and the Meeting Center. ple in recent years have done School in Oświęcim (that the weight he attached to the He knew most of the IYMC so much for bettering the included a signifi cant exten- visits of young Germans to staff, valued our home- neighborly Polish-German sion of its library collection), this especially marked place, cooked meals, and when relations, especially for the taking part in the diffi cult allows us to call Thomas with us, he felt he was among perception of Germans by discussions to fi nd fi nancial Gläser the ambassador who friends. The time spent with the Poles. And although we support from Germany for carried the message which Thomas was for the Center know that while he was the the construction of the Me- fl ows from the International and for those of us working Consul in Cracow, he was morial Hospice in the city of Meeting Center, the peda- here an important and good highly valued and respected; Oświęcim, or his coopera- gogical concept that “Ausch- time. We believe that he felt his activity and consistently tion with the Rotary Club of witz is a place of learning.” the same way. He was the fulfi lled need to get to know Oświęcim, which he was also He sponsored the jubilee Consul General of Germany the people among whom he a member of, are just some exhibition The other side of in Cracow. He was also our lived and worked (his cus- of the very important pro- the world which, thanks to Consul. tomary walks through the jects in which Thomas Gläser his support, could be pre- At the end of May 2011, the Photo: IYMC Dr. Thomas Gläser area covered by the consu- took part. He also worked sented in Cracow as well as Judaica Foundation – Jewish late in Cracow), for us, em- in cooperation with the in many German cities. He Cultural Center in Cracow There are individuals that ployees of the IYMC, was a Auschwitz-Birkenau State was uniquely consequential together with the Interna- you meet and it changes the particularly important and Museum, the International and sought to make others tional Youth Meeting Center way you look at our world, close. From the fi rst meeting Auschwitz Committee, the aware and appreciate the in Oświęcim plan to organ- sometimes it also changes in our Center, immediately Association of Roma in Po- work the Center is doing in ize an evening and concert relationships among peo- after following his visit to the land, the Center for Dialogue the very complicated fi eld of in Cracow devoted to the ple. Thomas Gläser was one Auschwitz-Birkenau State and Prayer, and the Jewish pedagogy of remembrance. memory of Consul Thomas of these people. If the term Museum, it became clear to Center in Oświęcim. Recog- He accompanied a countless Gläser. “Polish-German reconcilia- us that the problems associ- nition of his work includes number of delegations that Leszek Szuster INSIDE THE (SEASHELL) HOUSE

“When a quarter of a century ago the creators of this place made it known as the International Youth Meeting Center, it was a slight exaggeration. It’s a bit like the names of newly born babies. We do not know whether the few day old treasure, who we name Victoria will be victorious in life. We do not know whether baby named Peter will truly be real bedrock... Likewise, it was not certain whether the International would be truly international, and would become recognizable in the world,” said Alicja Bartuś, the Chair of the IYMC Foundation Board, opening the yearly meeting of Good Spirits—friends and donors of the Center… Today no one doubts that this Germany. It deserves this formed out of calcium car- known to us all for 25 years merit also due to the many bonate. Małgorzata Szpara, mature and unique “young- quiet and valuable pro- as always, took good care of ster” is recognizable not only jects that have created the the fabulous evening’s artis- in Poland and Germany, but Center’s unique character: tic backdrop. also in Strasbourg and New meetings with poetry, art, Invited to spend a few mo- York, Eastern and Western philosophy, history... and ments in the quiet serenity of Europe, Israel, as well as above all—with other indi- the seashell were the faithful, in... South Africa. And this viduals. regular guest of events or- means that it fully deserves ganized by the International to be called “International.” A place in the heart Youth Meeting Center, This is not only the effect of those former Auschwitz many high-proﬁ le meetings, The theme of this year’s prisoners who have be- that have taken place in the meeting of friends and do- come friends of the Center: Center, such as the recently nors of the IYMC was the Zoﬁ a Posmysz, August organized debates with cur- seashell. The Good Spirits met Kowalczyk, Wilhelm Brasse, rent and former chairmen at the Center full of maritime Tadeusz Smreczyński, Józef of the European Parliament scenery, surrounded by vari- Paczyński, as well as repre- or the meeting that included ously shaped and colorful sentatives of the city, county, Photo: Jakub Senkowski the presidents of Poland and wonders of nature intricately and province institutions. Joanna Galistl, a Good Spirit in the “Donnor” category

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For each visitor that crossed the threshold of the IYMC the hosts presented a seashell as a gift—a wonderful gift of the seas and oceans, which could be used by its new owner as a beautiful natural mirror, a household decoration, or even a musical instrument. Many people believe that the shell is a charm that protects against fi re, shows the way, guards against bad luck, and that it also ensures fertility and prosperity. Photo: Jakub Senkowski Photo: Jakub Senkowski Józef Paczyński (right) and Piotr Kudełka (left), The shell is also a Good Spirit in the “Artist” category Gaba Kulka a house… Gładyszek. The former pris- The seashell gives Good Spirit are awarded to for the IYMC, when he does At the IYMC many people oners who are presently here people who are particularly not have any time! from around the world found say the same thing and, de- birth to pearls close to us, and those who, To fi nish the evening, in- a home. “Our sorely missed spite the years, they continue Shell is an attribute of the in various ways support, side the musical shell of the friend Jadwiga Toczek, who, to perform their mission— deities of the sea. Pearls are help, and inspire us,” said the IYMC, was a performance with her husband Janusz, that is how much they enjoy born out of it, which sym- IYMC director and host of the by the pearl of Poland’s mu- conjured up for us a series of returning here. Teenagers bolize beauty. The Meeting evening, Leszek Szuster. sic scene—Gaba Kulka—a Poetry Salons in this room, who listen to the words of Center on March 20, a Sun- This year, Piotr Kudełka talented vocalist and pianist, said this. So did our great eyewitnesses say this. As do day evening, released these was awarded the Good Spirit with an exceedingly rich im- friend Thomas Gläser, former the great artists, as well as pearls and awarded them. statuette (in the category: agination and fantastic voice. German Consul in Cracow. their grateful audience. We For the ninth time already, “Artist”)—for outstanding It was an amazing concert Jan Knycz, who from the out- hope that, for you, the IYMC with the help of artists from artistic achievement, for his with the blend of progres- set had been associated with has found a place in your the Teatr Gry i Ludzie [The mastery and virtuosity as sive pop, which combines the IYMC, said the same. heart during the last quarter Games and People Theater], well as bringing the art of within itself various genres, Former prisoners, no longer century,” Dr. Alicja Bartuś extraordinary individuals the guitar to young people, from jazz to piano rock, and with us also said this— emphasized in her introduc- were honored—the IYMC for true cooperation with the the Weill cabaret created a Zofi a Łyś and Władysław tory speech. Good Spirits. “Statuettes of the International Youth Meeting beautiful setting for another, Center in carrying out the amazing Meeting with a capi- most prestigious artistic ven- tal “M.” tures, especially the Cracow Monika Bartosz Poetry Salon, for including the Kudełka musical family—his sister Maria and his brother Jan—in the artistic presentation at the Meeting Center, and for his humility and sincerity. For the category of “Donor,” Joanna Galistl, owner of the bakery “Ptyś” in Chełmek, was awarded for her subtle, long-term, and regular support for the Cracow Poetry Salon; for her poetic artistry in the art of confectionery, with a deep understanding of the ideals of the Center. In the category of “Reliable Rescuer,” the statue of the Good Spirit was given to Marcin Boiński for his sensitivity, kindness, and big Photo: Jakub Senkowski

Photo: Jakub Senkowski heart, but also for the fact that nothing is impossible for him, Marcin Boiński, Good Spirit Good Spirits guest at the IYMC and for always having time in the “Reliable Rescuer” category NOTES FROM ANOTHER WORLD A MEETING WITH LESZEK ALLERHAND

s part of the series Literature and Memory, on April 1 at the IYMC a meeting was held with Dr. Leszek Allerhand, who spent the Alast several years carefully examining the history of Jews in Lviv. The fruit of his labor is his newest publication from 2010—an album, entitled Żydzi Lwowa. Opowieść [The Jews of Lviv. A Story]. It includes, not only ex- his book Zapiski z tamtego his grandson. tensive historical material, świata [Notes from Another Leszek Allerhand was but also the biographical World] was published, in- born in Lviv in 1932, to a history of the Allerhand cluding discovered notes wealthy, intellectual Jewish family—including Leszek that were written by Mau- family. His father Joachim Allerhand’s famous grand- rice Allerhand during the and his grandfather Mau- father, Maurice, professor occupation on the back of rice ran the law ﬁ rm there. of law at the Jan Kazimierz a court document, inter- In the autumn of 1942, after Photo: IYMC University in Lviv. In 2003, spersed with memories of the seizure of Lviv by the Leszek Allerhand and Leszek Szuster

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where he worked as a doctor memoir from the time during by the story, summed up by at a local hospital (a doctor the occupation, which was the fi lm, entitled Pasja życia of medicine training), and published in book form after [A Passion for Life] from also assumed a number of being translated into English 2004, fi lmed in Lviv. It was other functions; including and Hebrew. I received a shown during the second chief physician of the Polish copy of the book, and after part of the meeting. Olympic winter sports team. returning to Poland I went Leszek Allerhand recalls the In 2009, he was also one of to the Jewish Historical In- times of the so-called fi rst the founders of the Aller- stitute in Warsaw, where the Soviets, who took over Lviv hand Institute. originals of the diaries were at the beginning of the War. “In autumn 1992, I attended made available to me. The history, while mainly the World Congress of the This discovery determined dealing with dramatic ex- Association of Children of Leszek Allerhand to relive periences, was interspersed the Holocaust in Jerusalem. the events in parallel with with amusing comments and One day, I was visited by the events described in his anecdotes, as well as a his- Shmuel Krakowski, a repre- grandfather’s diary but seen torical sketch of the history sentative of Yad Vashem. He and heard and—as he says— of the Lviv Jewish commu- asked me many questions with his very clear child’s nity. Among the guests of the about our family, trying to eyes and ears. “I then wrote, meeting, which was hosted

Photo: IYMC determine whether I am a not realizing that I created by Leszek Szuster, were rep- Leszek Allerhand member of Maurice Aller- my own diary. I assumed resentatives of the Sambor hand’s family,” Leszek Aller- that my memoirs had to be Club in Oświęcim. Germans, the family was Allerhand graduated from hand recalled, presenting the only a modest addition to The Foundation for Interna- forced to live in the ghetto, the Medical Academy in beginnings of his interest in descriptions of my grand- tional Youth Meeting Center from which they managed Cracow, he received a grant the history of his family and father. Finally, I deﬁ ed the and the Judaica Foundation to escape and survive the from the Ministry of Health the wider Jewish community intended proportions, but – Center for Jewish Culture War, hiding in the city. Af- and studied at the Train- in Lviv. “I learned that Yad I hope that my grandfather in Cracow, organized the ter liberation, the family ing College of Physicians. In Vashem has in its possession will forgive me,” he said. The event. was repatriated to Cracow. 1963, he settled in Zakopane a copy of my grandfather’s same picture was painted jk

SEARCHING FOR TRACES

summary of the Polish-German seminar for young people from Gliwice and Bielefeld, The fate of the Poles and Jews per- Asecuted during the Second World War and the Holocaust in the context of Polish and German post-war literature—searching for traces.

gether young Poles and Ger- tions arose about the joint

mans, in the context of their responsibility of other Eu- Photo: IYMC biographies, families, and ropean nations for the exter- Participants of the seminar during their visit to the Memorial Site the countries of their origin. mination of the Jews and the In analyzing the texts, the phenomena that were asso- the camps of Auschwitz and The most important expe- young people searched for ciated with this. Neuengamme. He brought rience for the young Poles speciﬁ c themes that were Both groups were convinced with him the only memento and Germans during this common in some of the that the most important task left after his great-grand- seminar in Oświęcim, as was works, such as: love, solidar- ahead is to preserve the father—a letter from the emphasized in the summary ity, protest, struggle to pre- memory of the victims as Auschwitz camp. His grand- session, was the joint liter- serve humanity in the sense well as their suffering and mother had given it to her ary tour around the Birk- of physical and mental suf- the authenticity of this place grandson so that he would enau Memorial. Tangible, fering, death, injustice, sur- that has the power to cre- donate it to the Museum Ar- moving, often true-to-life

Photo: IYMC vival strategies, and labor. ate fundamental values of chives and look for any trac- descriptions of places, peo- Participants of the seminar during This allowed a more empa- dignity and the equality of es of his great-grandfather’s ple and events that had been their visit to the Memorial Site thetic perception of a visit every human being. imprisonment in the camp. chosen by the young people to the Auschwitz Memorial In joint discussions dealing By discovering the fate of were read out at the authen- From March 8 to 15, twenty- Site, whose purpose was to with memory within fami- the Poles, Germans, and tic sites where the events fi ve participants took part in deepen knowledge about lies and how it is passed on Jews, the complex picture of had taken place, this left a a seminar organized jointly the topography and func- from generation to genera- the War and the Holocaust deep impact on their psyche. by the IYMC in Oświęcim, tion of the Concentration tion, the participants often was revealed to the young The second part of the pro- the Middle School in Camp. The fi rst joint discus- discovered very compli- people and taught them mu- ject will be held in the au- Heepen/Bielefeld, and the sion was about the observa- cated and diffi cult histories. tual respect and tolerance. tumn in Bielefeld, Germany. FILOMATA Private Sec- tions and refl ections on the A grandfather of one of the This dialogue was not about The participants will jointly ondary School in Gliwice. various ways of the tour of participants from Germany fi xing blame for the crimes develop a full documenta- The seminar’s participants Auschwitz seemed to be ac- was a member of the SS, that had been committed, tion of the project in the form worked together and at- cepted among young Poles something that she only be- but to preserve the memory of an exhibition, which they tempted to decipher the his- and Germans. The German came aware of a few years of the victims as well as the will present to their peers at tory of Auschwitz through participants were troubled ago following his death. events that had taken place school. the use of literary texts that by the question of guilt for While tidying the attic she more than 60 years ago. Elżbieta Pasternak were created by survivors. crimes perpetrated by the came across Nazi propagan- Preparing for the seminar, Nazi Germans in the his- da medals, something that the students developed pres- torical, legal, and moral her grandfather was proud entations about selected au- contexts; as well as whether of. The family remained si- thors: Liana Millu, Krystyna now, in the 21st century, lent about the subject. The Żywulska, Stanisław Hantz, there are suffi ciently strong second grandfather was ex- Bogdan Bartnikowski, and legal mechanisms for the pelled from the territories Tadeusz Borowski, whose protection of human rights annexed for Poland after testimony helped the par- that guarantee the preven- 1945, under the Potsdam ticipants create a literary tion of genocide. In the Agreement. He lost every- narrative during a visit to Polish group, undoubtedly thing he possessed, his fam- the Birkenau Memorial Site. infl uenced by the current ily as well as property. A

An equally important aim of debate that surrounds J.T. great-grandfather of another Photo: IYMC Photo: IYMC the seminar was to bring to- Gross’ publication, ques- participant was a prisoner in Participants of the seminar at work

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MATISYAHU IN OŚWIĘCIM

ne of the most original and intriguing artists of the world reggae scene will perform on June 18 in Oświęcim, at the closing concert of the second edition of Oświęcim Life Festival—Festival for Peace. OThis will be his second visit to Poland. Last year in July he appeared at the Open’er festival in Gdynia, and also performed an intimate acoustic concert at Temple Synagogue in Cracow during the Jewish Culture Festival. Matisyahu, but actually He moves well within the Matthew Paul Miller, was reggae style, adding to it born in 1979 to a Jewish elements of Hasidic music, family in the United States. jazz, hip-hop, and beat- A trip to Israel in 1995 was box, creating a highly origi- a turning point in his life. It nal blend of music. He is was then that he became fas- known from his very en- cinated with Orthodox Juda- ergetic, attention-grabbing ism, and he became a Hasid. shows. As he says, “per- He has been actively in- formances on stage are an volved in music since 2000, important part of what I after four years Matisyahu do. It is where energy is signed with JDub Records, produced, something that promoting Jewish musi- cannot be achieved in the cians free of charge. In mid- recording studio.” Over the October, that same year, he past few years, Matisyahu released his debut album has worked with many fa- Shake Off the Dust... Arise. A mous producers and art- year later the artist’s live al- ists including Bill Laswell, bum hit the stores, entitled Sly&Robbie, Muslim beat- Live at Stubb. In 2005-2006, boxer Kenny Muhammad, Matisyahu toured exten- and P.O.D. Moreover, he sively in the United States, was also nominated for the Canada, and Europe. He prestigious Grammy music has also performed in Isra- award. el, opening for Sting. At the He is also known to engage beginning of March 2006, in a number of projects pro- his second studio album moting human rights, so Youth was released, which his message perfectly fi ts confi rmed that Matisyahu the idea of Life Festival. In Photo: OLF is one of the leading artists 2007, Matisyahu became in- Matisyahu of the contemporary reg- volved in the formation of gae scene. The latest, a live the American documentary the soundtrack, and the during the Slamdance Film Aniston he joined the cam- album by the artist, Live at Unsettled, whose protago- movie won the Jury Prize Festival. A year later, to- paign drawing attention to Stubb’s Vol 2, was released nists were six refugees from for documentary fi lmmak- gether with, among others, human rights abuses in Bur- in February this year. Gaza. The musician wrote ing and was also screened Steven Segal and Jennifer ma by recording a special video for the song It Can’t be Wait. In 2010, the artist put his support behind the NU Campaign, which produced a special t-shirt with his image, and the income from the sale went to support the work of the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma to aid the victims of the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Also last year, including with American ac- tor Matt Damon, Matisyahu backed the Onexone Ca- nadian Foundation, which aims to improve the liv- ing conditions of children worldwide. In Oświęcim, the artist will perform together with the Brooklyn based Dub Trio, composed of: D.P. Holmes (guitar), Stu Brooks (bass), and percussionist Joe Tom- ino (drums). At this year’s fi nal concert, in addition to Matisyahu, we will also hear James Blunt, T. Love, and RotFront. More on this year’s edition of Life Festival can be found at: www.lifefestival.pl Photo: OLF Matisyahu Artur Szyndler

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OSHPITZIN

A GUIDE TO THE JEWISH HISTORY OF OŚWIĘCIM

efore the War, where did the Chief Rabbi of Oświęcim live? Down which streets Bdid the Jewish inhabitants of Oświęcim walk? Who did President Mościcki visit in Oświęcim? You can ﬁ nd the answer to these and many other questions thanks to the latest project of the Jewish Center in Oświęcim, entitled Oshpitzin.

It is a virtual map of the pre- We sincerely invite you to War Jewish Oświęcim, which the ofﬁ cial inauguration of is combined with historical the project Oshpitzin, which photographs as well as ﬁ lmed will take place on Thursday, testimonies of witnesses who April 28, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at remember the currently non- the Oświęcim Jewish Center existent Polish-Jewish world. at 5, Fr. Skarbek Square. The The website for the project project will be presented by Oshpitzin is available at www. its creators: Tomasz Kunce- oshpitzin.pl, and is supple- wicz, Dr. Artur Szyndler, mented with a book that has and Maciek Zabierowski. been published, entitled Osh- Admission is free. pitzin. A Guide to the Jewish History of Oświęcim. JC

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GOD, SHED A TEAR...

t should be noted that, in spite of the abyss of evil and despair that emanates from Auschwitz, it would be ﬁ tting to simply remain qui- Iet and not even to make the most subtle attempt at expressing the feelings which accompanied us while passing the row of remaining barracks of the former Nazi German Concentration and Death Camp. Photo: WSD Cracow

regain your faith. Someone grimage was doing the Way might think that the former of the Cross at the world’s concentration camp is not largest necropolis in Birk- the most appropriate place enau. It lasted three hours in for doing such a thing. How- the shadows of people who ever, Auschwitz had become lost their lives here. a place of the mass murder About 140 hectares, nearly of many individuals who en- 300 barracks, 16 km of barbed joyed great authority in the wire fences, gas chambers interwar period—including and crematoria. From this doctors, teachers, and clergy. place one does not return the The Nazis were afraid of such same, part of human being people because they could does not come back at all— be a source of resistance (it the memory returns to the seems that even today an at- hectares of extermination, to tack against these groups of the barracks, in which there is individuals is the questioning a terrifying emptiness left be- Photo: WSD Cracow

History has probably never standing of God, who in fact when evil gains momentum, seen a more brutal mistreat- is not indifferent to any hu- it is hard to make it stop. The ment of humans, for whom man beings. It is worth ask- horror becomes overwhelm- other people literally become ing yourself how it became ing when reading about the the hell. What can someone, possible to treat entire nations cold and calculating estimates who is preparing for priest- in such a twisted manner. In the creators of the camp had hood, say about this tragedy? Auschwitz, the nations on about the efﬁ ciency of the A member of the clergy is seen which the Nazis inﬂ icted the death camp and the manner as a person who has a unique greatest cruelty were the Jews in which technology can im- connection with God—the and Poles. How could such a prove the technical process of God, who is accused of calm- tragedy come to be, in which killing. Looking for reasons ly watching the hell on earth these and many other nations for this depravity, one must known as Auschwitz. suffered so much? look back upon aversions to I hope that it does not sound We can imagine three peo- a small group, or even to a like an empty statement: that ple, twenty people, or per- particular person. “Everyone that God suffered in each of haps even a hundred; we who hates his brother is a the people, who were de- cannot imagine a thousand. murderer” (1 Jn 3, 15a). prived of practically every- And what can we say about The visit we paid to Ausch- thing by the inhuman totali- hundreds of thousands or witz was treated by us as a tarianism. In this statement, millions—these numbers be- pilgrimage; a pilgrimage to a there is a profound under- come statistics. It seems that place where you can gain, or Photo: WSD Cracow

of certain values—they are hind by those who had previ- in fact competent specialists ously been there. One would from the realm of the body, like to whisper: God, shed a soul, and the spirit). Despite tear! But it was God himself, this “hell on earth” many as Jesus Christ, who gave the prisoners were able to ﬁ nd an meaning of death—even that unblemished area of freedom which is most dreadful. He in themselves. So intense was had gone through it himself. this extreme situation, which Death becomes the gate nec- Maximilian Kolbe and many essary to pass on to a new others experienced that it led life. He also inﬂ icted death them to true holiness. Praying onto any death, even the most in the places of their execu- absurd, though perhaps we tion, such as praying at the do not yet understand this. Wall of Death, was an oppor- When Jesus died on the cross, tunity to ask God that their his disciples also did not un- blood, which still cries from derstand this. the earth (cf. Gen 4, 10), will Tomasz Koszarek be the cause of the conver- sion of people who come here Photographs show seminari- and who will be able to learn ans from Wyższe Seminarium about the crimes committed Duchowne in Cracow during at Auschwitz. Similarly, an their visit to the Memorial Site.

Photo: WSD Cracow important element of our pil-

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mans took her to the Auschwitz serving as conduit, Zofi a passed to Ravensbrück Concentration I-Main Camp and imprisoned on to her family in Brzeszcze Camp as part of the general PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL her in Block no. 11, the “Death certain documents that had evacuation of Auschwitz. She Block.” Despite multiple inter- been illegally carried out of the was sent from there to Sweden rogations at the hands of the camp, including evidence of the for medical treatment as part of ZOFIA GAWRON Gestapo, she again refused to crimes committed there: blue- the Swedish Red Cross relief ef- (born 1926; married name: Prejzner) confess to contacting and aid- prints of the crematoria, lists of fort. ing the prisoners. In May 1943, Polish women who had died She returned to Poland in No- Born May 22, 1926, in the coal she cooperated with other wom- the summary court sentenced or been murdered in the camp, vember 1945. Jan Prejzner, who miners’ settlement in Brzeszcze en—most frequently with one of her to Auschwitz, where she and photographs of Jewish and had escaped from Auschwitz known as the “Old Settlement,” the organizers of the relief effort was registered as prisoner Roma women and children on in September 1944 and joined a she was the fi fth and youngest in Brzeszcze, Maria Górecka. number 44097. She was placed whom Dr. Mengele conducted partisan unit, found her shortly child of Antoni and Tekla née Zofi a went to Górecka’s house in Block no. 15 in the women’s his experiments. Zofi a’s father afterwards. They soon married Hoder. She attended public to help her divide up into por- camp in Birkenau sector BIa. A buried this material in his yard. and moved to Cracow. Her school in Brzeszcze. When the tions the food they acquired, few days later, she came down After Zofi a completed this mis- husband fi nished his schooling, war broke out, she was thirteen and to make coffee. Since she with typhus and was admitted sion, women fellow-prisoners which had been interrupted by years old and had fi nished six found it impossible to acquire to the camp hospital. Now, the helped her to obtain an assign- the war, and passed his fi nal ex- grades in school. as much food as she needed for same prisoners she had helped ment to the camp warehouses. aminations. Next, they moved Near her home, at the beginning the prisoners, she approached when she was on the outside She stole, and smuggled out to Warsaw, where her husband of 1941, Zofi a began encounter- acquaintances, prosperous local came to her aid. They told the of the camp, warm clothing in- began studying to become a ing the fi rst Auschwitz prisoner residents, and shop owners, and older women prisoners to look tended for escapees who were journalist. After graduation, he labor details marching to work won them over to the cause. She after her, and sometimes visited fi ghting with local partisan took a job with the Polish Press in the Brzeszcze coal mine. Up- also took letters from the prison- her when they came into the units. Agency (PAP). Zofi a stayed at set by the sight of these misera- ers and forwarded them to their women’s camp on various job In November 1944, Zofi a was home to look after their son and ble-looking men in striped uni- families. assignments. unexpectedly summoned to daughter. When the children forms, she established contact In the spring of 1942, she was Once the crisis passed and she the camp Political Depart- were older, she took a full-time and then began going daily to arrested on suspicion of con- recovered her strength, she was ment (Gestapo) and accused of job, and worked until she re- the place where they worked tacting the prisoners. She was assigned to labor inside the maintaining contact with the tired on a disability pension in with food for them. At fi rst, released after undergoing sev- camp. In the fall of 1944, on a partisans. Despite being bru- the late 1970s. She lives in War- she helped the prisoners in the eral weeks of investigation, dur- request from prisoner Antonina tally beaten during her inter- saw. labor gang that shoveled slag, ing which she refused to confess Piątkowska, who belonged to rogation, she refused to admit For her wartime services, she the Schlackenkommando. Next, to the charged. She resumed her the resistance movement, Zofi a anything. She never returned was decorated with the Knight’s she began helping other labor efforts to aid the prisoners. In Gawron applied for assignment to Birkenau, but instead was Cross of the Order of Poland details, the surveyors and the February 1943, after someone to an outside labor detail. With imprisoned once again in Block Reborn and the Oświęcim wicker detail, as well. At fi rst, informed on her, she was ar- the foreman in charge of her la- no. 11 in Auschwitz I. On Janu- Cross. she did this on her own. Later, rested again. This time, the Ger- bor detail, Franciszek Zabuga, ary 12, 1945, she was transferred Jadwiga Dąbrowska VESTIGES OF HISTORY FROM GANOBIS’S CABINET FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM

“Our faith! We hate the stink of incense; it destroys the German soul. We believe in God, but not in his middlemen, priests and worshipers, as it would be pagan. We believe in greatness of our beloved German Fatherland, for which we fi ght and conquer, or die. If we must therefore die, then we do not ask Mary for assistance, we will depart as freely as we have lived. Our last breath shall be: Adolf Hitler.” Theo- dor Eicke, Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross-with Oak Leaves, Waffen- SS General. aw Ganobis The words of Theodor Eicke, style—Himmler’s quotes for of offi cial as well as desirable ł cofounder of the German con- Fritzsch, and later for Höss.” art within the Third Reich. centration camp system, hung In addition to the handwritten Paintings and sculptures of on the walls of offi ces and copies and prints, the collec- this type were not placed in quarters of the SS garrison in tion also contains a well-pre- offi ces, but rather in canteens, Photo: Miros Auschwitz. Propaganda un- served lithographic stone with meeting rooms, and in the SS Carriage sign der Hitler focused mainly on the text of T. Eicke, from which men’s private homes. All of a few constantly repeated additional copies were made. these objects, nevertheless, A friend of mine called me transporting building materi- points that catered to the emo- In addition to these inscrip- show how far Nazi ideology and said that he had some- als for such projects as the ex- tions of its recipients. Every tions, on the walls of the SS of- encroached into all spheres of thing new for my collection. pansion of Auschwitz as well word spoken or printed in fi ces there were photos of Ad- people’s lives, through the use When we met, he brought a as the building of the IG Far- the Third Reich was to have olf Hitler as well as signs with of various means and forms of small, soiled, and worn sign ben chemical plant. And of an impact on society, to shape mottos, such as Recht—Unre- expression. that had some kind of writ- course, Dwory was right next the right attitude, or at least cht—Mein Vaterland. Within Agnieszka Sieradzka ing on it. At fi rst glance this to the plant that was being praise the alleged greatness, the Museum’s collections Collections Department was nothing interesting, but constructed. Residents of the importance, and strength of there are preserved examples A-BSM it ended up somewhere with- area remembered the name the regime. The framed SS in my museum collection of the man. As it turned out, oath of faith is a perfect exam- and for some time I forgot he has been dead for quite ple of this kind of indoctrina- about it. I do not like it when some time, however, all the tion. The text is accompanied, something whose mystery while his family lives in that in this case, by the typical SS is not solved is on the shelf same house he had inhabited. ornamentation: runes and the too long. I cleaned the sign— Quite by chance, it turned out death’s head, which also ap- before the War, ones like it that the person listed on the peared on the covers of photo were on horse-drawn car- sign was the great-grandfa- albums, tie-pins, and even sig- riages. The sign had informa- ther of my friend. His family nets. tion about the owner, from knew only a little bit of in- Within the Museum’s collec- Dwory, written in Polish and formation about him. Urban tion there are several exam- German, which testifi es to Kwaczała was born on May ples of these types of inscrip- the fact that the carriage was 18, 1879 and died on June 10, tions. Quotes from speeches used during the German oc- 1942—the cause of death re- by German offi cials were cupation. Often, Germans mains a mystery. Did he die hand-written or printed, using used the owners of vehicles a natural death? Or did he die a lithographic technique by to perform various jobs. In at the hands of the occupier? prisoners on the specifi c order the pictures from the war I hope that one day I can fi nd of SS men. One former pris- horse-drawn carts appear out more about this story. oner, Alojzy Gołka, testifi ed even during the deportation after the war, “I created vari- Photo: Collections Depatment, A-BSM of Poles and Jews. Often, ous inscriptions in the Gothic The framed SS oath of faith such carriages were used in Mirosław Ganobis

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 28, April 2011 Photographer

PHOTO JOURNAL

hotographs of Buchenwald Memorial Site taken during the project Memory and Remembrance in the PEra of Web 2.0. Photographer: Paweł Sawicki.

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