In my 20 years of life I have never witnessed anything like the history of horrors I saw today. At the Terezín small and large fortresses, our group had the privilege of touring the facilities with one of the most historically and emotionally intelligent tour guides I have ever met. For one hour in the small fortress prison, she showed us the appalling conditions that tens of thousands of people suffered and died in all because of their religion, sexual orientation, and race. From incredibly cramped cells, to inadequate clothing, food, water, and sanitary practices, the barren walls of the structure still house the memories of some of the most horrific psychological and physical torture one could imagine. It was absolutely devastating.
In the large fortress, it was unfortunately more of the same. The town was a holding place for tens of thousands of people at a time before they would be sent to other extermination or labor camps. Amongst all of the tragedy I saw today, there was one surprise that I was not expecting. During our tours, we learned that these prisons and concentration camps became underground railroads for rich culture. Despite the abysmal conditions and grim outlook, the people found hope by sticking to their faith and working with each other to survive. Perhaps the best example is of Artur Berlinger, a Rabbi and Jewish community leader that created a hidden synagogue in the Terezín large fortress. He used his remarkable artistic talents and painted beautiful murals in the hidden storage unit of a house, uniting the community around their faith and creating collective hope.
While Berlinger eventually died in Auschwitz, his strength was the moral of the story. It is because of the efforts of people like him that the oppressed community got through each day. While Berlinger was not at Terenzín for long, the lesson of his life and mission live on today as a very important lesson for all of us. As we see far right movements in politics begin to take place all over the globe, we must show the strength that Artur did. By uniting against those that would use their power to inflict tragedy, kindness and the good in people prevail. In some of the darkest moments, it is easy to see the light that shines through. After observing the remains of one of our world’s most horrific times, I will never forget what I saw, and take away from it the strength and light that the bravest at the time created from their strong resistance.
Swanson School of Engineering 