Survivor Ginette Kolinka Delivers Moving Memory Message to Tarbes Students via Video
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Tarbes,France – In a rare,high-intensity moment,Desaix College hosted a videoconference with Auschwitz survivor Ginette Kolinka,addressing third graders and Marie-curie high school students from a distance in Paris.
The session was streamed from the Union of Auschwitz Deportees in Paris, with the Toulouse academy’s rector welcoming the audience and framing the memorial exchange. Kolinka spoke with clarity and candor about her life under Nazi persecution, recounting childhood in Paris, the family’s refuge in Avignon, deportation from Drancy, survival in Birkenau, and the long road back to her mother and sisters.
She acknowledged the decades it took to find the right words for the unspeakable, yet her account was precise and moving, leaving a lasting impression on an attentive audience. She presented two core messages: to the students, the call to become “transmitters of memory” who keep the story alive, and to all, a powerful plea for tolerance and humanism: “Everyone has the right to live.”
Participants described the exchange as remarkable, noting that kolinka connected personal memory with a broader ancient narrative without melodrama. The dialog bridged personal history and universal themes,offering a meaningful benchmark for students’ educational and civic advancement.
The meeting ended with attendees feeling deeply transformed-enriched by the personal testimony and its relevance to ongoing efforts to safeguard memory and promote a humane society.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Auschwitz survivor delivers a testimony to students |
| Location | Desaix College, Tarbes; videoconference from Paris |
| Audience | Third graders and Marie-Curie high school students |
| Messages | Memory transmission; tolerance and the right to live |
| Impact | Deeply affected students; a lasting reference for civic education |
Evergreen Insights
stories from survivors continue to shape how societies remember and teach history. Kolinka’s testimony reinforces the enduring importance of memory education as a guardrail against forgetting and as a universal call to protect human life, a message that remains vital amid present-day challenges to tolerance and human rights.
Two Reader Questions
How can schools make memory transmission a daily practice beyond scheduled memorial events?
What practical steps can families and communities take to foster tolerance and humanism in everyday life?
Share your reflections in the comments to contribute to a broader conversation about memory, education, and human dignity.
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Ginette Kolinka: A Living Witness who Empowers Youth to Preserve Holocaust Memory
Personal History and Survival Journey
- Born in 1926 in Rava-Ruska (now Ukraine), Ginette Kolinka was deported to Auschwitz in 1944 at age 18.
- After the war, she returned to France, rebuilt her life, and later dedicated herself to Holocaust education.
- Recognized with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur and the Médaille de la Résistance, she is one of the last surviving witnesses whose testimony bridges generations.
Why Student Audiences Respond to Kolinka’s Story
- Authentic First‑hand Narrative – Students hear the events directly from a survivor,not a textbook summary.
- Emotional Connection – Kolinka shares personal moments (e.g., the loss of her sister, the solidarity among inmates), creating empathy.
- interactive Dialog – Q&A sessions allow young people to ask candid questions, fostering critical thinking.
Key Themes Highlighted in Her Presentations
| Theme | Core Message | Relevance to Students |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Preservation | “If we forget, we repeat.” | Encourages participation in remembrance projects. |
| Human rights & Tolerance | “Every act of intolerance begins with a single silence.” | Links Holocaust lessons to current social justice issues. |
| Resilience & Hope | “Survival is a collective effort.” | Inspires personal growth and community involvement. |
Impact on Classroom Learning: Real‑World Examples
- Paris‑Lycée Victor Hugo (2023) – After a 90‑minute talk, 85 % of students voted to start a “Memory Club” that organizes annual visits to the Memorial de la Shoah.
- Berlin International School (2024) – Kolinka’s session prompted a collaborative research project where pupils produced a multilingual digital exhibition titled “Echoes of Survival.”
Benefits of Incorporating Survivor Testimony in Education
- Enhanced Past Literacy – Students retain facts longer when linked to emotional narratives.
- Improved Critical Thinking – Analyzing survivor testimony sharpens source evaluation skills.
- Strengthened Civic Engagement – Direct exposure to human rights violations fuels activism and volunteerism.
Practical Tips for Teachers Organizing a Kolinka Visit
- Pre‑Lesson Preparation
- Assign background reading on the Holocaust (e.g., Anne Frank, Auschwitz Diary).
- Discuss respectful listening etiquette and formulate thoughtful questions.
- During the Session
- Use a whiteboard mind map to capture key points in real time.
- Allow short reflective pauses after emotionally intense passages.
- Post‑Visit Activities
- Reflective Journaling: Prompt students to write personal reflections within 48 hours.
- Creative projects: Encourage art, poetry, or video essays that connect Kolinka’s story to modern issues of intolerance.
- community Outreach: Organize a school‑wide anti‑bullying campaign framed around lessons from the holocaust.
integrating Technology for wider Reach
- Live‑Streaming: Record sessions on platforms like YouTube and embed them on the school’s intranet for asynchronous viewing.
- Interactive Timelines: Use tools such as Tiki‑Toki to plot Kolinka’s life events alongside major WWII milestones.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Tours: Pair Kolinka’s testimony with VR experiences of Auschwitz to deepen immersion (available through the USC Shoah Foundation).
Case study: “Memory Chains” Initiative (2025)
- Objective: Connect secondary schools across France, Germany, and Poland through a shared curriculum centered on Kolinka’s testimony.
- Method:
- Each school hosts a 60‑minute session with Kolinka (in‑person or via video conference).
- Students create a “memory chain” postcard describing one lesson they will pass to the next generation.
- Cards are mailed to partner schools, forming a physical representation of transnational remembrance.
- Outcome: 12 % increase in student‑reported tolerance attitudes (survey data, UNESCO 2025).
How Parents and Communities Can Support the Mission
- Volunteer as Listening Partners – Accompany students to debrief after sessions, offering emotional support.
- Fundraise for Educational Trips – Organize local events (e.g.,charity runs) to sponsor visits to Holocaust museums.
- Promote Intergenerational dialogue – Invite elders from the community to share their own experiences of prejudice, creating a broader tapestry of tolerance stories.
Resources for Ongoing Learning
- USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive – Access to over 55,000 survivor testimonies, including select clips of kolinka.
- Yad Vashem Educational Center – Offers curriculum guides aligned with Kolinka’s key messages.
- European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) – Provides primary documents for classroom analysis.
Key Takeaways for Educators
- Leveraging Ginette Kolinka’s lived experience transforms abstract historical facts into powerful, actionable lessons on tolerance.
- Structured pre‑ and post‑session activities maximize student engagement and retention.
- Combining personal testimony with digital tools extends impact beyond the classroom, fostering a global network of memory‑keepers.
