Genocide survivors share their experiences

Last month, Victoria College pupils attended a series of events to remember the Holocaust. The pupils involved had the tremendous honour of attending speeches given by Holocaust survivors Susan Pollack and Tomáš (Tomi) Reichental.

Susan Pollack MBE and Tomáš (Tomi) Reichental survived the Nazi concentration camps of the Holocaust during the Second World War.  

Individually, they will be visiting over 50 schools and organisations across Northern Ireland, taking their stories to over 4,000 people. The programme is supported by The Executive Office working closely with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (www.hmd.org.uk).

TEO deputy secretary Mark Browne said: “Susan and Tomáš have lived through some of the darkest moments in human history. They have borne witness to unimaginable events in the most adverse of circumstances. 

“Their message is poignant, and their stories are personal. But they also show how groups of people were marginalised by genocidal regimes. This is hugely important as we seek to learn about the past, and ensure such actions are never repeated. 

“It will be a privilege to share their experiences and humbling to hear about what they have endured.”

The events are part of the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day 2020. It takes place on January 27, and next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945 and July 2020 will mark 25 years since the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia.

Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said: “Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is pleased to be working once again with the Executive Office to help people across Northern Ireland learn more about the Holocaust and more recent genocides.

“We are delighted that students and community groups have the opportunity to hear from Susan, Tomi and Safet. Their remarkable experiences are a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked discrimination and hatred, and should encourage us all to guard against identity-based hostility of any kind.

“As we approach a landmark anniversary year in 2020, 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and 25 years since the genocide in Bosnia, we encourage everyone to learn from genocide, for a better future.”