At the end of January 2025, a group of children from two primary schools – the Žulová Primary School and the T. G. Masaryk Primary School in Milovice – attended a joint educational seminar at the Terezín Memorial. After the course and their return home, the children from Žulová sent us an article detailing their observations and memories of the event.
Educational Seminar in Terezín, January 16–17, 2025
Terezín is a small fortress town located near Litoměřice in the Ústí nad Labem Region. Originally founded as a military fortress in the 18th century, it is now primarily known as a tragic symbol of suffering of both political prisoners and Jews. The Terezín Ghetto held Jews not only from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia but also from various European countries.
We felt a sense of well-being in Terezin, but at the same time, we were deeply saddened by the suffering endured by the people kept there. After the introductory lecture, we joined our guide to explore the Main Fortress, which is essentially the town of Terezín itself. This is where many Jews were imprisoned. We learned a great deal about their experiences in the Ghetto, hearing real-life stories that left a strong impact on us. During our tour, we visited several significant sites, including a columbarium, a crematorium, a secret prayer room, a small apartment, the Ghetto Museum, and shared living quarters. One of the highlights in the Ghetto Museum was the artwork of Helga Hošková-Weissová. We learned about her story, particularly how her father encouraged her to paint what she observed around her. Her paintings provide a poignant visual representation of life in the Ghetto. We also heard about Petr Ginz, a talented fourteen-year-old boy who, along with his friends, published a magazine called VEDEM in Terezín. He was hugely talented and it is heartbreaking to consider his potential and imagine what he might have accomplished had he not been murdered in Auschwitz.
After dinner, we proceeded to a tour of the fortress fortifications. This part of the seminar focused on Joseph II and the impressive architecture of Terezin, which is truly remarkable. In the second half of the tour, we ventured underground, exploring the extensive network of long corridors. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, especially as we carried old lanterns with candles. The corridors seemed endless, with a total length of 35 kilometers. The highlight was walking through them in complete darkness. We all held hands and walked in a single file. When we finally emerged into the light, everyone wanted to go back for another round.
In the morning, our program began with a discussion with Holocaust survivor Mrs. Michaela Vidláková. Despite being nearly 90 years old, she spoke clearly and eloquently. Mrs. Vidláková was warm and kind, sharing her experiences in Terezín. She considered herself lucky because her father’s occupation saved her and her parents from being transported to the East. Before the war, her father worked in a fur factory but had to leave that job. Prior to their arrival in Terezín, he found work in a carpentry shop where he learned valuable skills. It was this newfound profession that ultimately saved their lives, as they needed a carpenter in Terezín. As a result, the family was saved from being sent to extermination camps. Most transports from Terezín headed to Auschwitz.
Our seminar concluded with a tour of the Small Fortress, which served as the Gestapo Prison during the war. The prisoners endured horrific conditions, particularly in solitary confinement. It’s hard to imagine how anyone could survive such a situation without losing their sanity. During our seminar in Terezín, we had the opportunity to connect with students from a primary school in Milovice, and some of us even made new friends. Our classmate Filip shared his thoughts on the seminar, saying, “I learned a lot and I’m grateful to have been born in the 21st century. So appreciate your life, because in Terezín, thousands of innocent people lost their lives, and many children’s lives were cut short.
Pupils of the 8th grade of the Žulová Primary School
