Never Forget Your Name

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The children of Auschwitz represent the darkest aspect of the Holocaust. Many were deported with their families, facing immediate death in gas chambers, while others were born in the camp under horrific conditions. Out of 232,000 children sent to Auschwitz, only 750 were liberated in January 1945, most under 15 years old. Alwin Meyer's extensive research and interviews with survivors and their descendants sensitively reconstruct their harrowing stories before, during, and after their time in the camp. The trauma of Auschwitz left indelible marks on their lives, symbolized by tattooed numbers and memories of separation from loved ones, medical experiments, relentless hunger, and a longing for home. After liberation, these children faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding their identities in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. Many were orphaned, struggling to remember their names or ages, and grappling with fragmented memories of their past. While some sought to reconnect with lost parents, others had known only life in the camp. The journey to reclaiming their childhood and learning to trust again was fraught with difficulty. The liberated children had to navigate the complex transition from mere survival to truly living, learning how to embrace their youth and grow into adulthood.