70th Anniversary of Łódż Ghetto Liquidation
The Germans established the ghetto in Łódż in 1940.Into it, they placed around 200,000 people – the Jewish inhabitants of Łódż and surrounding towns, and from the European cities of Vienna, Berlin and Prague. The majority perished in Nazi German death camps in Chełm by the Ner River or in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Around 44,000 people are buried in the Łódż Jewish Cemetery, people who died of hunger and illness, or who were shot in the Łódż area.
Over the next few days, a dozen or so anniversary events have been planned in Łódż. They include prayer services in the synagogue and in churches of various denominations, combined prayers at the Jewish Cemetery, a March of Remembrance to the Radegast Station, concerts, photographic exhibitions and film screenings. On 30th August, tour coaches will take Łódż residents for a ceremony at the former Chełm camp.
Almost fifty survivors and 120 members of families of survivors have come for the commemoration. One of the events will be the planting of a further thirteen trees in Park Ocalałych (Survivors Park), adding to the 594 trees already growing there. Park Ocalałych was the brainchild of the late Halina Elczewska, who passed away last year. It was established several years ago on grounds adjoining what was the Litzmannstadt Ghetto during World War II. Survivors and their families will plant trees there, the trees being a symbol of life.
The Park also contains a monument dedicated to Poles who saved Jews, a plaque on which are written the names of all the Polish Righteous Among the Nations. There is also an obelisk dedicated to the Rada Pomocy Żydom „Żegota”. A Hill of Memory has at its peak Jan Karski’s bench and the Marek Edelman Centre for Dialgue.
Events connected with the anniversary have also been planned in other cities – Brzeziny, Pabianice, Zduńska Wola and Zgierz. A performance of Saccharin – Five for a Mark!! will take place on Friday 29th August 2014 at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, while on Sunday 31st August, the Museum will screen the film Oddajcie mi swoje dzieci(Return My Children to Me).
Details of the anniversary event can be found on www.centrumdialogu.com.
By: Krzysztof Bielawski
English Translation: Andrew Rajcher
Source: PAP, Marek Edelman Centre for Dialogue
