To coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day, Newbridge Memo is hosting an intimate evening with Bergen-Belsen survivor and author, Peter Lantos, to talk about his experiences as documented in his 2006 book Parallel Lines.
Lantos was born in Makó, Hungary, in 1939, but was deported with his family to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany at the age of five. What followed was a life of extraordinary tales.
By the age of 30, Peter had survived the concentration camp, escaped the Red Army, was beaten by Communist police in Hungary, qualified in medicine, defected to England, was sentenced to imprisonment in his homeland, and established a career in academic medicine in London.
Having escaped Russian hands by hiding on a goods train to Budapest, Peter found his family home deserted, and all semblance of his previous life disappeared with the rise of Communism in Hungary in 1949.
After graduating in medicine in Hungary – during which time he was on the blacklist of the Communist system – he arrived in London in 1968 to undertake a one-year tenure, and did not return to his homeland upon its expiration.
His successful research career in England spanned over 30 years, and he was elected to the Academy of Medial Sciences in recognition of his achievements.
As an author, it was his childhood experiences which gave him the impetus to write Parallel Lines, published in 2006, reprinted in 2007, and translated into Hungarian in 2009.
The book has attracted unanimously favourable reviews, and was reprinted again in 2014 with a new cover.
Peter will be discussing the contents of Parallel Lines at the Newbridge Memo at 7pm on Friday February 3, as part of the nationwide commemorations relating to the 2017 Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday January 27.
The talk will last around 40 minutes, and will be followed by a question and answer session. The event is free, but booking is essential through the Newbridge Memo Box Office by calling 01495 243252.
Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman, said: “On Holocaust Memorial Day we honour the survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and challenge ourselves to learn important lessons from their experiences in order to create a safer, better future.
“This year we have an unprecedented number of activities taking place involving people of all ages and from all walks of life, challenging us all to think about what happens after genocide and of our own responsibilities in the wake of such a crime.”
Islwyn MP, Chris Evans, said: “It is as important now as it has ever been to remember and learn lessons from the Holocaust and other genocides. Millions of communities through history have been murdered simply for being of a certain race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, political view or identity.
“Their suffering cannot be in vain. That is why it is so important to learn the roots of genocide. It is clear that these are division, prejudice and intolerance between communities.
“We must work hard every day to remain open minded, understanding and generous towards people who are different from ourselves. Not only will we have a better, more cohesive society, but one which will remember the lessons of the holocaust.”