It’s world Holocaust day, the remembrance of liberation of Auschwitz after 75 years and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge shares photos of survivors.
The Duchess said she was inspired to take the photographs after she read
‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ a story of those who survived the Nazi genocide of European Jews and thinks it should “never be forgotten”.
Kate took the pictures at Keningston Palace.
In her words;:
“The harrowing atrocities of the Holocaust, which were caused by the most unthinkable evil, will forever lay heavy in our hearts. Yet it is so often through the most unimaginable adversity that the most remarkable people flourish. Despite unbelievable trauma at the start of their lives, Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank are two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet. They look back on their experiences with sadness but also with gratitude that they were some of the lucky few to make it through. Their stories will stay with me forever. Whilst I have been lucky enough to meet two of the now very few survivors, I recognize not everyone in the future will be able to hear these stories first hand. It is vital that their memories are preserved and passed on to future generations, so that what they went through will never be forgotten. One of the most moving accounts I read as a young girl was ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ which tells a very personal reflection of life under Nazi occupation from a child’s perspective. Her sensitive and intimate interpretation of the horrors of the time was one of the underlying inspirations behind the images.”
The Duchess had a long conversation with Steven who survived Westerbork and Theresienstadt concentration camps and Yvonne, took the photograph of them next to a window to allow light in from the East-the Dutch painter’s style.
Steven said:
“I would hope that the people who look at these pictures not only look at the beauty of the photography, but they will also think of the people behind the photos and their families that they lost in the Holocaust.”
Trixie said:
“It was amazing, The Duchess of Cambridge was really interested in our family and in Opa’s story, and the items we brought with us.” Maggie added: “It’s important to tell the story so it doesn’t happen again.”
Yvonne said:
“It’s important that what my aunt and uncle did for me isn’t forgotten.”- as she recalled memories from the past.
These photographs will form a part of an exhibition by the Royal Photographic Society, The Jewish News and the Holocaust Memorial this year.
