I could spend a week in Germany with the help of the Csanyi Foundation representing my school the Janus Pannonius Gimnázium participating in a unique event.
The event I have participated in was organised in connection with the 70th anniversary of the closure of the concentration camp of Flossenbürg. The aim of the programme was to familiarise the young generations with this era and to glimpse into that world. In the first part of our stay we visited the grounds where the camp and the barracks had been and hundreds of people suffered. The gate we walked through was the symbol of captivity in contrast with the sign hanging above “work sets you free”. Listening to the many heartbreaking stories from the survivors was really hard as they told us about the days of the camp and their lives afterwards. The most recurring phrase shared between the guides and survivor was “never again”. Events like these should never happen again.
In addition we met many other young people from 6 countries: Italy, Germany, The Ukraine, Belarus, Israel and Poland. We had many task and group building exercises together, making new friends. On the closing ceremony we had the opportunity to give a speech and pay our respects at the memorial set up in the camp. It was an honour participating in this event and meeting the survivors and paying our respects.
The single thought echoed from everyone was “Never Again”
Bogdán Dóra, Pécs 2 group