The movie Schlinder's List played on a cable channel recently and watching it took me back to my recent trip to Prague. The first time I saw this movie, it was just that, a movie. Sure, I knew the story to be true; the facts horrific; and the overall treatment of a human race sickening. Yet, I was somewhat removed emotionally merely because it was 'history' and an event that had no direct effect on me. My recent viewing of the movie was a different experience. In part because of a day trip I had taken from Prague to Terezin, a Jewish concentration camp; and largely due to our personal guide, Pavel Stransky, a survivor of the Holocaust.
The tour unfolded not as a series of facts, but as the story of Pavel's life in the camp. He carefully gave us the details leading up to the awful day when he arrived in Terezin as we made our way there. Walking the grounds, he told us about being assigned as teacher to the children of the camp. His job was to "make the last days of the children happy." Pavel walked us through the prison camp, pointing out certain areas where he watched the execution of friends and family members. He took us through a playground where Nazi officials filmed children playing as a cover-up maneuver--the so-called "beautification" campaign--meant to be a smoke-screen to deceive the international public from the genuine tragic fate of Jewish prisoners. We saw the tunnels where Pavel's best friend's non-Jewish fiance would sneak food in to help them survive the intense hunger forced upon them.
After visiting the barracks from which Pavel lived, the crematory where the dead were cremated, the disinfecting station, and a museum filled with imprisoned children's drawings depicting the nightmarish life in Terezin, we stopped on a set of partially visible railroad tracks. It was here that Pavel described the trains that brought more prisoners into the camp and exported others out for unthinkable expulsion. Standing on the tracks, I finally mustered up the emotional courage to ask Pavel, "How, through all this horror, could you possibly keep your faith in God?" My heart broke for Pavel when he responded, "I lost my faith in God here."
Since Terezin, Pavel's mission is to be a messenger for the victims. He has share his story before powerful world leaders, large universities, and packed out seminars. Yet, remaining true to his mission, it is in the small group tours and classroom settings that Pavel continues to humbly and passionately present his message best.
My visit to Terezin has forever changed my life. No longer will movies such as Schindler's List or Life Is Beautiful be 'just a movie.' They will always be a reminder of Pavel Stransky and all those like him who suffered so greatly at the hand of evil. I will forever carry Pavel's courage and heroism in my heart.
Tours of Terezin can be arranged through Wittmann Tours in Prague.
