Today we had the solemn experience of visiting Terezín, which is a town about one hour North of Prague. We took a guided tour of a former military fortress which was later misused by the Nazis, as they held and tortured an unfathomable number of Jews. While the mood of this day was different than the others, it will certainly stick with me, being a very important and educational day for the group to have.
As we toured the previously occupied space, our guide explained to us the purpose and functionality of each room while the fort was being used as a concentration camp. Many rooms consisted of wide triple bunks with a singular toilet for several hundred people at once. The rooms quickly became filthy due to the sheer amount of individuals inhumanely being forced to share this space, as well as the lack of access to basic necessities. Hearing such a large number (of people) is one thing, but walking into a historic room and trying to envision everybody crammed in was sickening.
We also viewed solitary confinement cells, bathrooms, and a chamber designed to kill off any lice or pests that were spreading like wildfire.
One aspect that has been at the forefront of my mind was the fact that the Nazis essentially staged the environment for the Red Cross. This was to ensure that the workers through the Red Cross deem the camp a suitable environment. Those living in the camp had three rehearsals to piece together a drastically different setting than the one they’ve been dealing with. They played soccer, had live music, and many more cultural activities. It did not resemble the true conditions in the slightest.
Another key takeaway of mine from the day was the artistic expression of the hostages. While they were dramatically limited in their freedom and expression, to enrich their minds and souls, many would engage in artwork secretly. This includes poems, sketches, paintings, books, songs, and other artistic mediums. We had the privilege of walking through a museum in Terezín that held a vast collection of these pieces. The pieces created by children were especially touching.
I am glad that we visited this historic site today, as although we are engineering students, it is so important to dive into the past so that we can engineer a better future.
Swanson School of Engineering 