Holocaust survivor gives talk to mark memorial day

The event will take place to mark this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, which remembers the tragic massacre of millions during the Second World War.

Harry Bibring’s happy childhood in Vienna was blown apart by the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938.

In November that year, Harry's father's business was destroyed during Kristallnacht, and he was arrested soon after.

Harry was transferred to a school that permitted Jews to attend. After his father was released from prison, the family intended to flee to Shanghai.

His father was robbed on his way to pay for the tickets. Thinking of the safety of their children, Harry's parents arranged for him and his sister to flee to the United Kingdom on a Kindertransport train, where they would be sponsored by a family friend.

It was through these actions that Harry’s life was saved and on Wednesday, January 29, he will give a talk about his experiences at the University of Wolverhampton.

The event will take place at room MC001, Millennium City Building, between 6pm and 7pm. It will be free entry.

Lynn Leighton-Johnstone, Associate Dean of the School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Harry Bibring to Wolverhampton to present our annual Holocaust lecture. Each year, our guests provide thought provoking and often harrowing accounts of the Holocaust which serve as an important reminder that we should never forget the lessons of history.”

The lecture is part of a week of events organised by the University to mark worldwide Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place each year on January 27.

Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book a ticket or for full details of the University’s programme of events visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/holocaust

ENDS

For more information please contact Chris Jones in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Date Issued: Tuesday, January 14, 2013