Concentration camp survivor to give a talk in Yate (From Gazette Series)

Concentration camp survivor to give a talk in Yate

4:00pm Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Alexandra Womack

AN 86-year-old man who survived a Nazi concentration camp is to talk about his experiences at Yate Library.

Michael Rehfisch, from Saltford, was born in Dresden before moving to Prague. Following the German occupation many Jewish people were transported to Auschwitz including Michael. Once there, he witnessed many atrocities and experienced the awful conditions of life in the camp. He managed to escape towards the end of the war and was repatriated by the Russians in 1945. His compelling story continued as he journeyed across Europe to finally be reunited with his grandfather in Israel shortly after the war.

The pensioner will retell his extraordinary story at Yate Library on Tuesday, January 22 (7.30pm). The event is being organised by South Gloucestershire Council ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Cllr Claire Young, chairman of the council’s communities committee, said: “We are very fortunate to have the opportunity of hearing first hand the story of Michael Rehfisch who managed to survive one of the most notorious concentration camps.

“Holocaust Memorial Day aims to help us all remember the horrors of the past and think about how we can show respect for others in our community to help build a better future. We can achieve this by promoting equality and respect in every part of our communities.”

Free tickets for the event are available from Yate Library or alternatively visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries Holocaust Memorial Day is an international event which this year takes place on January 27. For further details visit www.hmd.org.uk