Hello Everyone!

Time flies—can you believe it’s already February 2025? 🐍 Happy Lunar New Year! How was your holiday?

This year, I started with a tough flu. 🤧 It lasted over a week, with fever, cough, and muscle pain. I wanted to do many things, but my body had no energy. Luckily, I finally feel better and even started running again!

Now, I want to share my trip to Kraków, Poland in December. This trip was very special because I had wanted to visit since 2018, but I never had the chance—until last year.

About Kraków 🇵🇱

Kraków is one of Poland’s oldest cities. It was once the capital and an important center for culture, education, and trade. The city survived World War II, while many other cities in Poland were destroyed. Today, Kraków is famous for its beautiful old town, historic castles, and deep history.

During the war, Jewish people were persecuted and forced into ghettos or taken to concentration camps. Many were later sent to Auschwitz, the largest Nazi camp, where they suffered from starvation and brutal treatment.

Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp

One of the most emotional parts of my trip was visiting Auschwitz, the largest Nazi concentration camp from World War II. I wanted to see how the museum presents this history and learn more about what happened there.

Auschwitz and the Holocaust – Key Facts

Built in 1940 in German-occupied Poland.
More than 1.1 million victims died there, most of them Jewish.
Other victims included Poles, Romani people, Soviet prisoners, and others.
Many families were separated, and people suffered from starvation, cold, and forced labor.

The weather was around 0°C (freezing) when I visited. I imagined how the prisoners survived without warm clothes, in terrible conditions. It was heartbreaking.

Stories of Family and Survival

1. Anne Frank (1929–1945) – A Young Girl’s Diary

Anne was a Jewish girl from the Netherlands. Her family hid from the Nazis for two years, but they were caught and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Later, Anne was moved to another camp, where she died at 15. Her diary, The Diary of Anne Frank, became famous worldwide and shows her thoughts about life, hope, and family.

2. Leon Greenman (1910–2008) – A Father’s Promise

Leon was a British Jewish man living in the Netherlands. When the Nazis took him and his family, he tried to protect his wife and son, but they were separated. His wife and child did not survive. After the war, Leon spent his life educating people about the Holocaust and the importance of remembering history.

3. Gisella Perl (1907–1988) – A Mother’s Strength

Gisella was a Jewish doctor from Hungary. In Auschwitz, she risked her life to help sick prisoners, especially women. She lost her whole family, but after the war, she moved to the U.S. and continued to save lives as a doctor.

My Reflections

Visiting Auschwitz was a heavy experience. Seeing the photos, reading the stories, and standing in the same place where these events happened made me think deeply about history. I am grateful that I had the choice to visit, learn, and reflect.

If you ever have a chance to visit Poland, Kraków is a place worth exploring. It is full of historical importance, beauty, and lessons we should never forget.

What Do You Think? 🤔

1️⃣ What do you know about Kraków or Poland?

2️⃣ Why do you think it’s important to remember history like the Holocaust?

3️⃣ If you could visit any historical place in the world, where would you go?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to reply and share your ideas.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Vocabulary:

Occupied – Controlled by an outside force, usually in war. (e.g., Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II.)
Starvation – Extreme suffering or death due to a lack of food. (e.g., Many prisoners in concentration camps died from starvation.)
Heartbreaking – Extremely sad or painful to experience. (e.g., Reading about families being separated was heartbreaking.)
Persecuted – Treated cruelly, especially because of race, religion, or political beliefs. (e.g., Jewish people were persecuted during the Holocaust.)
Concentration camp – A place where large groups of people were imprisoned and forced to work under terrible conditions. (e.g., Auschwitz was a concentration camp where many victims suffered.)
Holocaust – The mass killing of Jewish people and others by Nazi Germany during World War II. (e.g., The Holocaust is one of the darkest events in history.)
Victims – People who suffer harm, injury, or death. (e.g., The victims of Auschwitz included Jews, Poles, and Romani people.)

My Trip to Poland: Reflections on History and Family