Karolina SedlackovaIn the midst of a rainy setting, a poignant ceremony unfolded at the future site of the Lety Holocaust Memorial, dedicated to the Roma and Sinti victims. This event marked a significant step in acknowledging and commemorating the tragic history of the Roma community during World War II.
The Ceremony of Remembrance: Around a hundred people gathered to pay their respects at the old memorial site, touring the construction area and envisioning the future shape of this sacred place. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion, as Lucie Fuková, the Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, reflected on a Roma saying: “When we remember the dead in the rain, they cry with us.” This sentiment resonated deeply with the attendees, especially as they remembered the late Karel Schwarzenberg, who generously donated tree saplings for the memorial’s construction.
Karel Schwarzenberg’s Legacy: The late Karel Schwarzenberg, a prominent figure in Czech politics and society, played a crucial role in the creation of the Lety Memorial. His donation of tree saplings not only contributes to the physical landscape of the memorial but also symbolizes the growth and resilience of the Roma community. Schwarzenberg’s commitment to preserving history and promoting understanding is a testament to his enduring legacy.
Progress of the Memorial: Jana Horváthová, the director of the Museum of Roma Culture, provided an update on the memorial’s progress. The former pig farm, a site of painful memories for the Roma community, has been removed. In its place, a new educational center with a permanent exhibition and an outdoor park is being constructed. The indoor exhibition, set to open in February, will educate visitors about the history of the Roma and the atrocities that occurred at Lety.
A Symbolic Forest: The outdoor part of the exhibition will feature a forest surrounding a circular clearing, symbolizing the lost lives of the Roma. A concrete path with 1,295 iron rays will lead around the clearing, each ray bearing the name of a Roma individual who passed through the Lety concentration camp. The total number of victims exceeds the known names, with one ray representing those whose names remain unknown.
The Lety Concentration Camp: The Lety camp, operational from August 1942 to May 1943, was a grim chapter in the history of the Roma in the Czech Republic. A total of 1,308 Roma men, women, and children passed through its gates, with 327 dying within the camp and over 500 being sent to Auschwitz.
The Lety Holocaust Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the past and a beacon of hope for the future. It not only commemorates the victims of the Roma Holocaust but also serves as a place of education and reflection. The involvement of figures like Karel Schwarzenberg and the dedication of the Museum of Roma Culture ensure that the stories of the Roma will not be forgotten and that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
