A Day to Remember the Holocaust

     Every year, governments set aside one day in January to commemorate Holocaust victims and survivors. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27th. On that day, the UN purportedly has an obligation to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
    I have always had a great interest in hearing the stories of the Holocaust. For many, these stories are too heart wrenching and painful to hear, but for me they are a lesson on what can happen if hate goes unchecked. I like to hear about the atrocities of the time from different perspectives and media so I can better understand how the events leading up to and surrounding World War II affected people everywhere. I am drawn to movies about the Holocaust and often marvel at how well done they are. I want to spread the word and make sure everyone knows they should see the movie or read the book. I recently viewed, "The Pianist" for the first time. My immediate reaction was to wonder what took me so long. The movie came out more than ten years ago, but still I was reluctant to see it based on a misconception. I thought the movie was a sappy love story, but upon watching when I found out the contrary I was immediately and incredibly excited. I moved "The Pianist" to the number one spot on my favorite movies on the Holocaust. Number two is another movie I recently screened, "Life is Beautiful." I still can't get over how far one father went to protect his son from the realities of a Nazi death camp. Number three is Schindler's List, although it has been so long since I watched it that I feel the need to see it again to reassess. My fourth favorite Holocaust movie (if you can actually call a movie about such a tragic and soul crushing time a "favorite") is "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." I also have a great interest in books depicting the lives of those caught up in the genocide. I remember reading them when I was a girl, though I can't remember the age. The Diary of Anne Frank was so suspenseful and sad. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry elicited fear and hope. Recently, I read Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, which beautifully intertwines the story of a young girl's escape from a concentration camp to the modern day life of a news reporter who learns that her life is connected to the young girl.
     To commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day this year I will watch a couple of documentaries on the historical horror, "Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State" and "Steal a Pencil For Me." In the meantime, I will work on getting my hands on a copy of "Schindler's List" and "Sophie's Choice."