Cos'è la bambina di auschwitz?

The Girl from Auschwitz (La bambina di Auschwitz) is a book written by Angela De Marco, an Italian author and Holocaust survivor. The book is based on the true story of Hélène Hannemann, a German woman who became a prisoner at the Auschwitz concentration camp along with her five children.

Hélène Hannemann was professionally trained as a cellist and her talent caught the attention of the SS camp commandant, Dr. Josef Mengele. Mengele decided to use Hélène's skills for his own entertainment and appointed her to create an orchestra of Jewish prisoners. In exchange for her cooperation, he promised to secure the safety of her children.

The story revolves around Hélène's struggle to uphold her end of the bargain and protect her children in the horrifying environment of the Auschwitz camp. It portrays her desperation to keep her children alive and maintain some semblance of hope and humanity amidst the brutality and dehumanization of the camp.

Through her role as the conductor of the Auschwitz orchestra, Hélène witnesses the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand. She faces numerous challenges, including the constant threat of death, starvation, and Mengele's constant demands. The story also highlights the relationships Hélène develops with other prisoners, demonstrating the power of unity and friendship in the face of unimaginable suffering.

The Girl from Auschwitz sheds light on the atrocities committed during the Holocaust while focusing on the resilience and courage of one mother's fight to protect her family. It is an emotional and powerful account that serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.