A few days ago now Laura and I watched a special on cbc (?) called HOLOCAUST - A Music Memorial Film from Auschwitz. It was touching, well put together and just an amazing special. One of the things that I never knew before was how they had a Auschwitz Orchestra made of inmates. People who were made to play for other's amusement; to make an appearance that things were "okay" at the camp... every time I learn something more about Auschwitz I feel ill and am scared by how cruel and evil people can be to each other. It's frightening.
And what is one of the only ways to make sure that it doesn't happen again? To remember that it has happened. To watch for the signs that it is happening or could happen again if we continue down the path we are on. I guess the only way to keep track of the potential evil inside us is to keep it in front of us where we can see it and not to push is away "out of sight, out of mind".
Jon and I were there and we were in Dachau at the concentration camp in November....You want to feel sick...being there makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You can "feel" death, and see it for that matter. They have an execution wall and when you walk up to it you can see bullet holes...and if you stand on the wall..you know where they were trying to aim with the bullets. A very scary experience.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if you're based in the UK - but I'm a memberof the Backwell Plyhouse in Bristol and we are actually performing the UK premier of "Playing for Time " by Arthur Miller - It's all about the orchestra, Dr Mengele and Frau Schmidt - i yuo're interested and in the Uk please let me know
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Wow, thanks for the offer. Unfortunately I'm in Canada and I won't be able to make it. :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer, and all the best with your performance. ;-)