A 9th grade memory journey to Auschwitz? Of course! I had no idea how far this journey would take me, the people I would meet and hear from about their lives and History, the extraordinary locations where the dark chapters of History were written nearby my home all the way to Berlin, and finally all the conversations I might have had with deportees or their families, politicians, or locals. There have been openings in the clouds throughout history, but dangers have always lingered; for this reason, I chose to complete this duty of memory.
However, nothing predestined me to go so far in this project: I am not Jewish, I am not part of a persecuted minority and I have never experienced war. The steps of this journey of memory were taken as a simple young girl; I invite you to follow me in my journey of memory.
RESPECT - JUSTICE - MEMORY - DIFFERENCE - TOLERANCE - SOLIDARITY - CITIZENSHIP
LIVING TOGETHER - VALUES - PEACE - EUROPE - RIGHTS - LISTENING - DIVERSITY
Memorial sites
The historical sites are the actual material testimonies of the facts of the Shoah genocides. These sites are either preserved in their original state, restored, or evoked on the historical site.
LES TEMOINS ET LES RENCONTRES
The Shoah took place only 75 years ago. There are therefore many direct witnesses (deportees) or children. Their testimony is precious and shows that this page of history is still very sensitive for them.
MAKING known FOR THE FUTURE
So that everyone can benefit from the sites and people I met, I wanted to pass this on through posters, this website, meetings with personalities and talks in secondary schools.
AFTER A TRIP TO AUSCHWITZ...
A year passed between the journey of memory to Auschwitz and the different stages of this journey of memory. I was able to meet many witnesses who told me their stories. Sometimes they were surprised that a young girl was interested in this dark period of human history. This project did not encourage me to become a lawyer or to get involved in politics as some people have said. I have not yet made up my mind about my orientation, but I am aware that I live in a peaceful country, which is itself part of the Europe established after the Second World War and which is a guarantor of a wider peace. To make history heard is to allow us to live with freedom of opinion, in a country that is globally supportive and respectful of everyone.