Andrew recently joined fellow MPs and other guests at the premiere screening of the filmed testimony of Holocaust survivor, Zigi Shipper BEM, in Parliament.
The filmed testimony was a project supported by the Holocaust Educational Trust and undertaken by Zigi’s grandson in an effort to record and preserve Zigi’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor.
Zigi was born on 18th January 1930, to a Jewish family in Łódź, Poland, and attended a Jewish school. In 1940 Zigi and his grandparents were forced to move into the Łódź Ghetto. In 1944, Zigi and the remaining residents of the Ghetto were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Zigi was then moved to Stutthof concentration camp near Danzig. However, with the Soviets advancing, Zigi and the rest of his group were sent on a death march; arriving in the German naval town of Neustadt. It was here that Zigi and those with him were liberated by British troops. After a period in hospital, Zigi and his friends were moved to a Displaced Persons’ camp. Zigi finally arrived in the UK in 1947, where he married and had a family. Zigi now lives in Hertfordshire and regularly shares his story in schools across the country.
The testimony covers Zigi’s experiences before, during and after the Holocaust and will be used to educate and engage children, young people and many others on the Holocaust.
Andrew reports, “I was honoured to be invited to this screening and to meet with Zigi. Zigi is a fantastic ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust and travels the country, sharing his experiences with schools and others. It's estimated that Zigi has spoken to at least 14,000 young people across the UK!
This filmed testimony ensures that Zigi's story can reach even more people and that his story won't be forgotten.”
You can learn more about the Holocaust Educational Trust and their resources available here: http://www.het.org.uk/
Photo - Andrew with Zigi Shipper and Sir Eric Pickles, Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues
