A voice from the past: Holocaust witness inspires students

A voice from the past: Holocaust witness inspires students

On November 10, 2025, students at the Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium in Marktredwitz had the unique opportunity to hear a contemporary witness to the Holocaust. Thomas Gabelin, born in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, dealt with his moving past that day. “I was born in the Theresienstadt concentration camp – and survived,” he opened his haunting report. The event took place at Makkultur and attracted many interested listeners.

Louis Pawellek, a well-known face on TikTok, took on the role of moderator and introduced students to the facts about German concentration camps, with a focus on Theresienstadt. This facility was in operation from November 1941 to May 1945 and served several harsh purposes: as a transit camp for deported Czech Jews, as a ghetto labor camp for certain categories of German, Austrian and Czech Jews, and finally as a collection camp in which the miserable living situation was intended to accelerate death. The Nazis deceived the world by portraying Theresienstadt as a “health resort” for older Jews where they could “live safely in retirement.”

The grim reality of Theresienstadt

But the reality was sobering: thousands of Jews lived in catastrophic conditions, many died of disease or starvation. Of the 140,000 Jews transferred to Theresienstadt, almost 90,000 were deported to other camps; many died in the ghettos upon arrival or were sent to extermination camps. The ghetto itself had a high mortality rate, which was supposed to be dealt with by a crematorium built in 1942.

Despite the terrible circumstances, a considerable cultural scene also flourished in Theresienstadt. People found solace in art - there were musicians, writers and actors who escaped despair through creativity. Schools were also opened for children, although many of them were later sent to their deaths. A small library with 60,000 volumes offered people a touch of normality in the midst of the horror.

This powerful testimony from Gabelin reminded listeners of the importance of engaging with history to understand the present and future. Such events are not only a reminder of injustice, but also a call for vigilance and a commitment to humanity.

Anyone who would like to delve deeper into such topics should visit books.de to. There you will find a wide selection of literature dealing with the history of the Holocaust and other important topics. The ability to read books and reviews makes browsing particularly pleasant.

Thomas Gabelin and his impressive life represent many who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. It is our responsibility to pass on their stories and learn the lessons from the past. In a world that is often characterized by intolerance, standing up for tolerance and humanity remains a central task for every generation.