Remembering the Past

As France prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazis’ surrender to Allied forces, the painful memories of World War II resurface for survivors. Experiences during the German occupation, including fear, deprivation, and persecution, have shaped their lives and perspectives. The deportation of Jews and other marginalized groups to death camps remains a haunting aspect of this dark chapter in history.

Personal Stories of Survival

Among the surviving voices is Geneviève Perrier, who, at just 15 years old, fled her northeastern village as Nazi troops advanced. “We were scared,” she recalled, describing a frantic escape with her mother and other civilians trying to evade the conflict. Their journey included hiding from bomber planes and ultimately finding temporary refuge in southwestern France, only to return to a country under strict Nazi control.

Perrier’s connection to the French Resistance ran deep, yet her mother insisted on keeping her safe, fearing the risks involved in joining. “My mother kept telling me: ‘No, I don’t want you to leave. I don’t have a husband anymore, so if you go…’” This protective nature proved to be prophetic as several Resistance members were captured and killed.

The Weight of War

In 1943, Esther Senot was just 15 when she was arrested by French police in Paris and transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Out of a group of nearly a thousand people, many faced immediate death upon arrival. Senot recounted the harrowing selection process: “A German with his loudspeaker said: the elderly, women, children, those who are tired can get on the trucks.” Her survival for 17 months in the camp was remarkable, yet the cost was devastating; 17 members of her family perished at the hands of the Nazis.

In 1945, upon her return to a liberated France, Senot encountered indifference to her suffering. “France had been liberated for one year, and people didn’t expect us to return with all the misery in the world on our shoulders,” she reflected, sharing the challenges of reintegration among a populace seemingly unaware of the horrors endured.

Shining a Light on Stories

Ginette Kolinka, who was 19 when deported in 1944, experienced similar struggles upon her return to Paris in June 1945. Weighing only 57 pounds and feeling weak, she considered herself fortunate to have found her mother and sisters alive, yet the weight of grief was heavy as she lost her father, brother, and a sister in the death camps.

For decades, Kolinka refrained from discussing her experiences, fearing disbelief from others. Only in the 2000s did she join an association of deportees, dedicating her efforts to educating younger generations about the Holocaust. “What we have to keep in mind is that everything that happened was because one man, Adolf Hitler, hated the Jews,” she stated, underscoring the importance of combating hatred and prejudice across all communities.

Legacy of Resilience

The testimonies of survivors like Perrier, Senot, and Kolinka are crucial for understanding the impacts of historical atrocities and ensuring that future generations learn from the past. As they recount their stories, they challenge the indifference often encountered upon returning to peacetime life, emphasizing the necessity of remembrance and education to prevent such horrors from recurring.

Each survivor’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder of resilience amidst adversity and the critical need to confront the still-prevalent issues of discrimination and intolerance. “Hatred, for me, is dangerous,” Kolinka asserted, advocating for unity among all humankind.