75

Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day with this year being the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops.

Anne Frank spent some time in Auschwitz before being transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she was thought to have died just a few months later, probably of typhus.

Mr A and I gave this book to his mother about twenty years ago, knowing that she was always interested in the history of Anne Frank, but for some reason she refused to keep the book in her house and sent Mr A Senior back to us with apologies and the book tucked under his arm.  We were somewhat nonplussed as we certainly never meant to cause any offence and the reason was never explained.  Perhaps the book hit a raw nerve for her? 

I have spent quite some time reading various reports in the online press today, some of which revealed “colourised” images of various prisoners, some of whom escaped, a few who survived…but mainly did not.  One cannot imagine what these souls endured, but they and their suffering must never be forgotten, lest history repeats itself. 

Thought for the day:


“I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”  (Anne Frank)