At nearly 100 years old, Ginette Kolinka remains the powerful voice bearing witness to the horrors of the Holocaust, instilling remembrance and hope for the future. With the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp on January 27, 2025, Kolinka's testimony is as poignant as ever, reminding the world not just of the atrocities committed, but also of the importance of tolerance and education against hatred.
Born Ginette Cherkasky, she was deported to Auschwitz on April 13, 1944, along with her father and 12-year-old brother Gilbert. Over the decades, she has shared her harrowing story, apt for these times where antisemitism has surged alarmingly—more than quadrupled—in France alone. "Et papa, Gilbert sont montés dans le camion, raconte-t-elle. Et j'ai appris que j'avais envoyé papa et Gilbert à la mort," recounted Kolinka, reflecting on the desperate moment when she believed she was helping her family by insisting they take a truck to the camp facilities. Tragically, the truck led them straight to the gas chambers.
Kolinka carries immense guilt over this decision, describing it as "un remords constant" which has "transformed" her life. Today, she continues to recount her experiences, frequently touring schools to educate the youth about the dangers of hatred and prejudice. Her powerful message resonates, as she warns, "Éprouver de la haine, c’est déjà mettre un pied à Auschwitz," highlighting how hatred's roots can lead to dire consequences.
Her poignant recollections did not come easily. Kolinka, who initially wished to forget the past, says she remained silent for over fifty years, avoiding her own narrative due to the deep shame and trauma of her experiences. "Personnellement, je voulais oublier cette période que j’ai vécue. Et puis, tout ce qui se dit et tout ce qui se lit n’est rien à côté de la réalité," she candidly stated during her recent interview with France 2, reminding all of the haunting reality behind the statistics and history books.
Kolinka's experience was particularly shocking from the moment she arrived at Auschwitz, stripped of her identity alongside countless others. "Quand on est arrivé, il a fallu se mettre nu... Je n'osais pas regarder. Pour moi, cette nudité a été le début du pire," she described, emphasizing how such humiliation marked the very start of unimaginable suffering.
Despite the traumatic memories, Kolinka's resilience is remarkable. Since the early 2000s, she has felt compelled to share her story, believing it is necessary to convey her truth to prevent history from repeating itself. At 99 and nearing her 100th birthday, she adamantly affirms her commitment to be the bridge of memory, stating "Avant que ma mémoire ne foute le camp," as she continues to teach about the Shoah and its lessons.
Kolinka’s messages of tolerance and the ramifications of hatred are increasingly relevant. With the perpetrators of the Holocaust aging or passing away, Kolinka and her compatriots are among the last survivors telling their stories. Her work serves as both cathartic healing for herself and as public service to the community. "Quand j'en parle, je n'ai pas l'impression que c'est de moi que je parle. Comment j'ai pu supporter tout cela ? Il n'y a pas de réponse," she reflected, as she grapples with the weight of survival.
Through her unwavering commitment, Kolinka transforms personal tragedy and collective pain surmounted by unfathomable loss—a loss also felt by Esther Senot, another Auschwitz survivor who works alongside her. These efforts encapsulate the imperative challenge faced as society confronts renewed episodes of discrimination, prejudice, and Acts of violence targeting communities.
With Ginette Kolinka's enduring spirit, stories like hers remind us of the past events can never fade, and years on, her words echo incalculable weight. The need for collective remembrance is urgent; as Kolinka poignantly asserts with humor, pondering what her brother might have become had he survived, she states, "Un gangster ? Pourquoi pas ?" poignantly merging levity with sorrow.
Kolinka’s message is clear: It is through remembering the past and acknowledging the perils of hatred, misunderstanding, and intolerance, we aid the future generation to cultivate acceptance and peace. 80 years later, as survivors such as Kolinka speak out, there lies hope for generational change and engagement where tolerance blossoms, and darkness is diminished.