"It is our responsibility to remember their fate." – Josef Rosensaft: Excursion to Bergen-Belsen

25. 03. 2025

Anne Frank and thousands of others. We visited the place where the fate of one of the world's most famous stories came to an end, as well as that of countless of others. The Bergen-Belsen camp was burned down after the war, but one can still hear echoes of the past. How can we learn about the horrors that have gone to ashes?

As part of a seminar organized by the Terezín Initiative Institute, we participated in a three-day program as four members of the Modern History Club and a representative of AFYN (Anne Frank Youth Network) on March 13–15, 2025, the main content of which was an excursion to the former Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen.

Our program began in Prague, where we stayed at the Baroko Hotel and met other participants. At the very beginning, the British Ambassador Matt Field came to visit us and opened the whole seminar. In the evening, we introduced some basic information about the camp, and early on Friday morning we took a bus to Germany.

The Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was originally established as a prisoner-of-war camp, but in 1943 the Nazis converted it into a concentration camp. Some prisoners were held there with the intention of exchanging them for German prisoners, but in the end only about 2500 people were exchanged. On 15 April 1945, the camp was liberated by the British Army, which found 55,000-60,000 surviving prisoners in catastrophic conditions. Even after the liberation, another 14,000 people succumbed to typhus, which spread in the camp.

Among the victims of Bergen-Belsen were sisters Anne and Margot Frank. Anne Frank, whose diary has become one of the best-known testimonies about the Holocaust, was discovered in Amsterdam in 1944 along with her family and deported to Auschwitz. From there, Anne and her sister Margot were taken to Bergen-Belsen, where they spent the last months of their lives. It is estimated that both girls died of typhus in February or March 1945, just a few weeks before the camp was liberated.

The program in the camp was conducted in English and focused on a deeper understanding of history and ways to teach the topic of the Holocaust in schools.

After the discussion, we went on a tour of the former camp grounds. The camp was burned down after the war, so today only memorials and information boards stand in its place. The camp was burned to ashes for hygienic reasons and also as a symbolic gesture of the British army, which liberated it. Nevertheless, the place had a very strong effect and evoked deep emotions.

In the evening, we moved to the hotel, where we had dinner together and shared our impressions from the day. The next morning we returned to the camp, where we went through an exhibition that described in detail the history of the place and the fates of individual prisoners. Unlike most exhibitions in the Czech Republic, this one focused not only on the victims, but also on the so-called "bystanders". After further educational activities, we took part in a commemorative act and honored the memory of the victims. We had the honour of making a short speech.

Then we set out on the journey back to Prague.

Our visit to Bergen-Belsen was a powerful experience that left many impressions on us. Not only because it was a concentration camp, but also because we had a unique opportunity to see how the topic of the Holocaust is worked with in the German education system and how Germans approach it today. A great benefit was also a visit to the exhibition, which, in my opinion, is very well prepared and offers a lot of interesting materials - from writings and photographs to specific stories.

At the workshop in Belgen-Belsen, I was pleasantly surprised by the lecturer's approach to the topic. Many exhibitions, publications, films, etc. about the Holocaust are based on the shock factor and on people being emotionally affected by historical events. Because of this, children take away a resistance towards learning about this topic, and they fear it. The workshop was intended for educators and explained how this type of teaching on this topic is incorrect. Through activities encouraging discussion, we were able to adopt a different and milder approach to conveying information related to this topic without traumatizing anyone, but on the contrary, encouraging them to think about the topic and take an interest in it.

“I think that even for me, a student, this workshop was worth it. Not only did I walk through the memorable place where a concentration camp used to stand, but I also went through the attached museum. I was able to read about the stories of survivors and murderers in the camp and participate in the commemorative act.”

Ester

Directly at the Bergen-Belsen memorial, I had the opportunity to see how they work with the topic of the Holocaust. I was pleased that they use not only the personal stories of the victims, but also the question of the status of bystanders and perpetrators. The most powerful moment for me was the commemorative act, when I had the opportunity to say a few words at the Anne Frank memorial and lay a flower at the place where her life ended.

Antonia

The most powerful moment was undoubtedly the visit to the camp itself, despite the fact that very little remained of it. Perhaps that is why the place left a completely different impression than other places with a similarly turbulent history that I have visited before. I was attracted by the museum, which was full of stories, documentaries and audiovisual recordings. The seminar was also largely devoted to the way of teaching about the Holocaust. It was very interesting to talk to a German lecturer about learning about the Holocaust in Germany.

Anna

We would like to thank the Institute of the Terezín Initiative for the opportunity to participate in the seminar. And we thank the school management for supporting us in all activities.

Karolína Š., author of the article

Commemorative Act – Transcript

For us as the Anne Frank Youth Network, today's ceremony has a special meaning. Anne and her sister Margot were murdered here 80 years ago. We want to celebrate their lives together and commemorate Anna's legacy, which still appeals to many young people today and will continue to live in them.

Tuesday, June 13, 1944

" Is it because I haven't been outdoors for so long that I've become so smitten with nature? I remember a time when a magnificent blue sky, chirping birds, moonlight and budding blossoms wouldn't have captivated me. Things have changed since I came here. One night during the Pentecost holiday, for instance, when it was so hot, I struggled to keep my eyes open until eleven-thirty so I could get a good look at the moon, all on my own for once. Alas, my sacrifice was in vain, since there was too much glare and I couldn't risk opening a window. An- other time, several months ago, I happened to be upstairs one night when the window was open. I didn't go back down until it had to be closed again. The dark, rainy evening, the wind, the racing clouds, had me spellbound; it was the first time in a year and a half that I'd seen the night face-to-face. After that evening my longing to see it again was even greater than my fear of burglars, a dark rat-infested house or robberies. I went downstairs all by myself and looked out the windows in the kitchen and private office. Many people think nature is beautiful, many people sleep from time to time under the starry sky, and many people in hospitals and prisons long for the day when they'll be free to enjoy what nature has to offer. But few are as isolated and cut off as we are from the joys of nature, which can be shared by rich and poor alike. It's not just my imagination-- looking at the sky, the clouds, the moon and the stars really does make me feel calm and hopeful. It's much better medicine than valerian or bromide. Nature makes me feel humble and ready to face every blow with courage! As luck would have it, I'm only able-- except for a few rare occasions-to view nature through dusty curtains tacked over dirt-caked windows; it takes the pleasure out of looking. Nature is the one thing for which there is no substitute!"

My thoughts on Anne's entry from the 13th of June 1944

What stands out to me is how Anne could appreciate the simplest thing in the world—nature—despite it being unreachable to her at the time. I take this paragraph from Anne's diary as a reminder that, right now, we are free to enjoy the sunshine, to feel its warmth, and to step outside whenever we choose. When we feel down, we can go outside and breathe deeply, filling our lungs with fresh air. She didn't have that privilege then—she couldn't enjoy it—but she still had hope.

Today, I want to honor her and her spirit, as well as all those who have found their final rest here. Because, in the end, they all meant something to someone. They all had dreams, hopes, and lives before everything was taken from them.

So, as I read this paragraph aloud today, I also want to embrace a piece of nature—the chirping of birds, the warmth of a sunbeam—to remind ourselves how incredible it is to experience these simple joys, wrapped in the sweetest taste of freedom

-Terézia, AFYN Slovakia

Thursday, May 11, 1944

" You've known for a long time that my greatest wish is to be a journalist, and later on, a famous writer. We'll have to wait and see if these grand illusions (or delusions!) will ever come true, but up to now I've had no lack of topics..."

Wednesday, April 5, 1944

" And if I don't have the talent to write books or newspaper articles, I can always write for myself. But I want to achieve more than that. I can't imagine having to live like Mother, Mrs. van Daan and all the women who go about their work and are then forgotten. I need to have something besides a husband and children to devote myself to! I don't want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!"

Today we know that all this came true for Anne. The fact that we are here today also testifies to the fact that Anne has definitely not fallen into oblivion. She became a writer known to millions of people around the world, and she continues to be inspirational even after her death. It affects hundreds of young people and more, and I am happy to be here today as a member of the Anne Frank Youth Network, which is working to spread Anne's legacy and fight discrimination. I think Anne could be proud of herself and of all of us.

- Toni and Kája, AFYN Czech Republic

"It is our responsibility to remember their fate." – Josef Rosensaft: Excursion to Bergen-Belsen

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