On Wednesday, 21 January, an educational session entitled “Testimonies of Survival: The Liberation of Auschwitz and the Tragedy of the Death March” was held at The Remembrance Museum of the Land of Oświęcim. The event focused on one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp— the evacuation of approximately 56,000 prisoners from KL Auschwitz and its sub-camps. Many of them perished during the march in extremely harsh conditions. The session was attended by students, teachers, and individuals interested in the history of the camp and the fate of its prisoners.
Historical introduction by Dr. Jacek Lachendro.
The session opened with a lecture by Dr Jacek Lachendro from the Research Centre of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, entitled “The Evacuation and Liberation of Prisoners of KL Auschwitz.” The speaker presented the circumstances surrounding the liquidation of the camp, the dramatic course of the evacuation, and the liberation of KL Auschwitz by the Red Army. His lecture provided essential historical context for the rest of the program.
Moving testimony by Jolanta Kupiec.
A particularly moving part of the session was the talk by Jolanta Kupiec, who shared the story of her mother, Zofia Gabryś—a liaison officer of the Union of Armed Struggle/Home Army (ZWZ/AK), née “Wera”. Her account described her mother’s underground activity during the German occupation, her arrest, and imprisonment in Block 11 of KL Auschwitz. She also recalled the dramatic events of early 1945, when her mother was forced to take part in the Death March, from which she managed to escape. During her talk, Jolanta Kupiec referred to her book “In the Grip of Death: The Story of Liaison Officer Wera”, published last year by the Museum, in which she describes her mother’s experiences in detail.
Testimonies of historical witnesses.
The second part of the session featured selected testimonies from the Museum’s collection, focusing on the liberation of KL Auschwitz. These authentic accounts from local residents who witnessed the events provided an important and deeply personal perspective.
Workshops for young people on freedom.
Following the lecture section, students from the Salesian School Complex in Oświęcim took part in educational workshops dedicated to the theme of freedom. The introductory session was led by educators from the Museum.
Exhibition of young people’s artwork.
During the workshops, participants created artworks inspired by the concept of freedom—understood both in a historical and personal context. The results were powerful and deeply moving. These works will be presented in a virtual exhibition available on the educational portal on the Museum’s website.
Remembrance and reflection on history.
The session was not only a history lesson, but also a space for reflection on memory, responsibility, and freedom. It highlighted the importance of passing on testimonies of the past to future generations and of building awareness and sensitivity among young people.
